[Cricket] England v Sri Lanka - First Test - Lords

[Bold Seagull]

OOOOHHH Bumble just announces to the world Zamora has left QPR chatting to young Redknap

Hilarious, you could hear Jamie panic as Bumble said it, obviously an off mic conversation that wasn't meant for live on air!

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

Two Sussex boys in the ENgland team. Innings victory beckons IMHO.

Proudly Sussex

TNBA

TTF

 

[Pavilionaire]

Thank God for Ian Bell.

 

[spring hall convert]

run rate of 3.92 from England

Those watching... have England looked to get on with it or have Sri Lanka been loose/attacking?

I will be massively relived if England are actually attempting to be less attritional.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Those watching... have England looked to get on with it or have Sri Lanka been loose/attacking?

I will be massively relived if England are actually attempting to be less attritional.

England have lost wickets, in my opinion, for going after shots when they should have seen off the first hour. Cook's attempted cut was another example of a batsmen short of form, being forced back into his crease by full deliveries trying to cut his way out of trouble off his back foot. He barely gets out of his crease at the moment, in contrast to the largely untroubled Bell who is full of movement and getting his front foot to the ball.

Sri Lanka weren't initially attacking as such, but as their bowlers picked out the right lines and length and we looked troubled, Matthews was able to get more attacking as the morning progressed.

After the first hour or so, the pitch did start to calm down. Looks a good track for a batsmen who gets in and plays at the right balls. Low score for the team that slashes at it, or picks the wrong shots which all 3 of our wickets were guilty of.

 

[spring hall convert]

England have lost wickets, in my opinion, for going after shots when they should have seen off the first hour. Cook's attempted cut was another example of a batsmen short of form, being forced back into his crease by full deliveries trying to cut his way out of trouble off his back foot. He barely gets out of his crease at the moment, in contrast to the largely untroubled Bell who is full of movement and getting his front foot to the ball.

Sri Lanka weren't initially attacking as such, but as their bowlers picked out the right lines and length and we looked troubled, Matthews was able to get more attacking as the morning progressed.

After the first hour or so, the pitch did start to calm down. Looks a good track for a batsmen who gets in and plays at the right balls. Low score for the team that slashes at it, or picks the wrong shots which all 3 of our wickets were guilty of.

Time will tell I guess. A lot of pressure on Bell now then.

You have to go back over a year to find a test match century elsewhere in this England line-up.

 

[Titanic]

Bell brings up the England hundred with a straight six off Herath in the first over after lunch

105-3 (26 overs)

 

[Titanic]

Ian Bell 51* (69 balls, 7 fours, 1 six)

Strokes that through the covers... looking good.

 

[Titanic]

Review against Bell... given not out...

 

[Titanic]

and it is OUT. Hitting top of middle. Good review. Big wicket.

120-4

 

[Titanic]

Mooen Ali comes to the wicket... another test debut... and the pressure is on...

 

[Bold Seagull]

and it is OUT. Hitting top of middle. Good review. Big wicket.

120-4

I think post #48 did Bell there!

Good ball though, not sure Bell did a lot wrong, movement did him.

 

[BensGrandad]

Mooen Ali comes to the wicket....

Good old English name.

 

[spring hall convert]

Good old English name.

He's more English than Ballance, Prior or Robson!

 

[Pavilionaire]

Mooen Ali - I presume his fielding position is cow corner?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Good old English name.

Any less English than Solanki, Ramprakash, Mahmood, D'Oliveira, De Freitas, Shah, Patel, Panesar, etc, etc, etc?

 

[El Sid]

I like TMS when Boycott's taking a break.

 

[Titanic]

I think post #48 did Bell there!

Good ball though, not sure Bell did a lot wrong, movement did him.

Indeed, sorry BS

That's why I have tried to avoid saying anything about Root and Ali making steady progress... 154-4 (38 overs), Root 25* (48) Ali 20* (35).

 

[BensGrandad]

He's more English than Ballance, Prior or Robson!

Has anybody argued?

 

[spring hall convert]

Has anybody argued?

Nope, hence the lack of indignation. I just thought it was funny.

Maybe not funny - mildly amusing.