England v Sri Lanka | 1st Test | Galle | Mar 26-30, 2012

[praveen]

Yes they are.

This suggests they have actually improved in the subcontinent, where they are used to losing by an innings. But they are still not good enough.

can be a case where these matches dont have big scores by the oppositions

 

[James]

Hopefully we can level it up to restore some pride and keep the ranking

This could be the moment for SA fans They'll be challenged for it in the summer either way though

 

[Justcrazy]

SL must play another spinner in the next test

 

[James]

can be a case where these matches dont have big scores by the oppositions

I think there were tests in the subcontinent under Vaughan/Flintoff where the other team scored 300 and we still lost heavily, believe me things have been worse than this. They are bad atm but they have been worse

 

[praveen]

I did not see it live, all i see in scorecard is dilshan and herath. Were they that good, or were the english found wanting again?

 

[praveen]

I think there were tests in the subcontinent under Vaughan/Flintoff where the other team scored 300 and we still lost heavily, believe me things have been worse than this. They are bad atm but they have been worse

Its relative. With this promising team, i would rate this performace as disappointing. Its not like such players need to learn on the job.

 

[Justcrazy]

Test cricket producing results these days ........ its good for the game.

 

[James]

Strauss looks like he's about to cry, quite a fall from grace. Wonder what happens with his career now.

And yes praveen they have been a letdown, but I've seen worse from us, that's all am saying

 

[praveen]

when was the last time a #1 team won a test? India at home against NZ

 

[James]

And the next time - next week

Hopefully...

No wins out of five is bad even for England's history

 

[praveen]

Wish KP finds some form,their best match winner with the bat. The rest even if they score, let the pressure be applied by the opposition. KP dismisses the opponents from his presence and there by allowing the other batsmen to cash in.

 

[AccidentallyOnPurpose]

Whippy what does that POTW and QOTW wins mean, btw I owe you a beeya

 

[AccidentallyOnPurpose]

Strauss's post match interviews are starting to sound like a broken record. If this continues he should just start replaying his pre-recorded earlier post match interviews, I doubt anyone would know the difference.

 

[style_guru]

Hi everyone. So is the match over? Did England complete their victory? Sorry but m on the move so can some1 pls update me. Thanx.

 

[khalil1986]

LOL @ Bob still whining about Ajmal

 

[James]

I am owed one beer from somewhere but owe two beers elsewhere

 

[praveen]

Strauss's post match interviews are starting to sound like a broken record. If this continues he should just start replaying his pre-recorded earlier post match interviews, I doubt anyone would know the difference.

Every captain says the same stuff most of the times. Diplomacy BS.
Theres a structure to it. Start with a small self assessment ,proceed to praise the opposition. Finally find the silver lining from your team amongst the dark clouds and praise him. This is where we need good interviewers.

 

[AccidentallyOnPurpose]

and the POTW/QOTW wins, what do they stand for

 

[Sherlock]

Whippy, don't mention "beer" in any way

 

[James]

Good point from Bob, the winter games have often been decided on lower order runs, we need a 3rd seamer to bowl tailenders out. Patel out, Bresnan in

Post of the Week and Quote of the Week

 

[Sherlock]

and the POTW/QOTW wins, what do they stand for

Post Of The Week, Quote Of The Week!

 

[Lethalweapon]

when was the last time a #1 team won a test? India at home against NZ

No. India won at Durban, also at Sabina Park ,should have been 3-0 after taking a lead in all 3 tests in WI but the captain was a loser.

 

[Lethalweapon]

Good point from Bob, the winter games have often been decided on lower order runs, we need a 3rd seamer to bowl tailenders out. Patel out, Bresnan in

Post of the Week and Quote of the Week

Bresnan is not exactly a good player of spin , better than the batters in the top order I guess.

 

[James]

Bresnan has a batting average of 45 and a bowling average of 23. Gun player, why was he not picked

 

[Sherlock]

Bresnan might play next match now. But i won't be surprised if Panesar is dropped instead.

 

[praveen]

No. India won at Durban, also at Sabina Park ,should have been 3-0 after taking a lead in all 3 tests in WI but the captain was a loser.

In tests, his captaincy sucked. We should have won 2-1 against SA too if not for Boucher of all people digging at the crease with Kallis. Too many ifs, reality is laid out. So sabina park is the answer then.Thanks.

 

[James]

Either Bresnan is not fully fit or it was just a bad decision, hopefully will be rectified in Columbo

 

[velu]

Bresnan has a batting average of 45 and a bowling average of 23. Gun player, why was he not picked

bcoz all his runs were scored against Trundlindians
those runs has got no face value

 

[Lethalweapon]

Either Bresnan is not fully fit or it was just a bad decision, hopefully will be rectified in Columbo

Bresnan barely managed Jadeja (I remember couple of inside edges past the stumps in Eng in odis) It was worse in India. Tell me which big name spinner has he faced in tests? not even Harbhajan.

 

[Saurav]

Bresnan has a batting average of 45 and a bowling average of 23. Gun player, why was he not picked

plus hes on winning side everytime

 

[Saurav]

Good point from Bob, the winter games have often been decided on lower order runs, we need a 3rd seamer to bowl tailenders out. Patel out, Bresnan in

Post of the Week and Quote of the Week

I would drop Panesar.Patel can do what he does,plus England need to strengthen thier batting.also Panesar is a donkey in the field

 

[AccidentallyOnPurpose]

Surely you mean a baby hippopotamus

 

[the Great Khan]

i would drop moata patel. what a useless cricketer. How he's in the side over some other players I dont know. drop patel bring in bresnan. Thats my only change. id risk it with one batter less since by then it wouldnt matter anyway. the top order ned to make runs. KP should know his responsibilities. this isnt JAMODI stuff. same with the openers. patel is rubbish!!

 

[Lethalweapon]

Bresnan barely managed Jadeja (I remember couple of inside edges past the stumps in Eng in odis) It was worse in India. Tell me which big name spinner has he faced in tests? not even Harbhajan.

I think Bresnan has faced Shakib but obviously in different circumstances.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Poor England, even though they improved against a weaker bowling attack they lost again by considerable margin. In a low scoring test match 70+ run defeat is a fair margin.

I think the selection was wrong, Patel wasn't required. They should have played Bopara as a proper batsmen, he's decent against spin.

Struass hasn't scored a 100 in 50 odd innings and KP hasn't scored well all winter. To be fair to England other sides would have struggled against Herath when it's turning and skidding on so it wasn't a disaster but since they were miserable against Pakistan it will feel this way.

Congrats Lanka, it's been a while since they had a real chance to win a series. Expect a road in the next test.