England - Sri Lanka 2nd Test

[Titanic]

Alastair Cook 102*

 

[zeetha]

Cook has his century - well deserved especially after just missing out in first innings.

Expect England will declare soon...

 

[Pavilionaire]

312 off 63 overs would be 5 an over - too soon to declare for Strauss, I feel.

We need to crowd the bat with fielders for Swann. That means gaps in the field, which means runs. I still see us batting for another 30mins at least.

 

[Uncle Buck]

If Bell is going to continue scoring at the rate he is, they will let him go on for a bit.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Cook is out.

 

[Titanic]

If Bell is going to continue scoring at the rate he is, they will let him go on for a bit.

and with Morgan at the crease too... another 5 overs should do it.

 

[Gerbil]

f*** me, Cook has to be one of the most dramatic transformations over 12 months i have EVER seen.
Not even a year ago he couldn't get a innings to save his life, Was constantly getting undone by a fairly mediocre Pakistan attack
Was so, so close to being dropped, given one LAST chance (Last test before the ashes V Pakistan?) managed a 100, although got a bit lucky, but since then, he's been along with Trott probably the best, most consistant batsman going, took apart the convicts, and is now taking apart Sri-lanka, Proved a lot of people wrong, Take a bow Alastair Cook

 

[Gerbil]

f*** me, Cook has to be one of the most dramatic transformations over 12 months i have EVER seen.
Not even a year ago he couldn't get a innings to save his life, Was constantly getting undone by a fairly mediocre Pakistan attack
Was so, so close to being dropped, given one LAST chance (Last test before the ashes V Pakistan?) managed a 100, although got a bit lucky, but since then, he's been along with Trott probably the best, most consistant batsman going, took apart the aussis, and is now taking apart Sri-lanka, Proved a lot of people wrong, Take a bow Alastair Cook

And within seconds of that being posted he's gone
The point still stands though

 

[Uncle Buck]

f*** me, Cook has to be one of the most dramatic transformations over 12 months i have EVER seen.
Not even a year ago he couldn't get a innings to save his life, Was constantly getting undone by a fairly mediocre Pakistan attack
Was so, so close to being dropped, given one LAST chance (Last test before the ashes V Pakistan?) managed a 100, although got a bit lucky, but since then, he's been along with Trott probably the best, most consistant batsman going, took apart the aussis, and is now taking apart Sri-lanka, Proved a lot of people wrong, Take a bow Alastair Cook

Well between him and Gooch they have sorted out his technical issue around his off stump and we are seeing what a good bat he is.

If you look at his record before last summer it was good, it is just he did not have any time in County Cricket to sort out the technical issue.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Shame about Cook there, but perfect timing for England as he's not in Morgan's class for improvised stroke play, which is what's needed now.

Sri Lanka will now need to definitely score at 5+ per over to have a chance of winning the test.

 

[Cantona's Flying Dropkick]

312/5

 

[Titanic]

and with Morgan at the crease too... another 5 overs should do it.

Make that Prior

 

[Titanic]

Make that Prior

or not... run out for 4. All a bit silly really.

 

[Cantona's Flying Dropkick]

319/6

 

[CHAPPERS]

This just looks stupid.

 

[Titanic]

oops... looks like Matt Prior might have just SMASHED a window in the dressing room!

 

[Pavilionaire]

A declaration at the end of this over would leave them to chase 330-odd off 60 overs.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Nasser Hussain wants to crap on about the cricket, and all David Lloyd can talk about is Poirot and Sherlock Holmes and who smashed the England dressing room window

 

[Titanic]

England still don't declare 324-6.

The lead is 331. With 60 overs left in the match.

 

[Pavilionaire]

So 5 and a half an over to chase, and climbing. I'm with Strauss on this, but would declare at 14.40hrs having batted an hour after lunch.