England V Sri Lanka

[nimbusj15]

As Sri Lanka are without 3 blokes whose names I wont even attempt to spell - home win?

[Pete L]

Not on the evidence to date - I'm going for the draw, possibly in every match.

[Propwash]

The dangers inherent in playing just 3 seamers and a spinner, without the safety of a genuine all-rounder in case of injury, is now graphically illustrated by Anderson's injury. We were lucky to have got away with it in the winter Down Under, but Sri Lanka will be much harder to dismiss twice in a match than Australia

Finn should now play at Lord's, where he is well used to the slope which will bemuse some of the SL players who haven't seen it before. I know England won't revisit their strategy of 4 bowlers, so that may yet be decisive. I think on the evidence so far that the series will be 1-0 to England, but as they shake off the rust, it may even be 2-0. I don't see SL winning a match with their bowling attack, let alone the series.

PW

[Jwscud]

But groundhog day for Trott and Cook. Not exactly thrilling test cricket, but I won the game of Boycott Bingo this afternoon listening to Test Match Special

[TheKentishFledgling]

Well well well. Who'd have expected that result at 3pm today?!

[Propwash]

Not me. I now revise my forecast to 3-0 to England.

I wonder what odds I could have got at the bookies for an England win at the start of (delayed) play today?

PW

[Rotorboater]

Not me. I now revise my forecast to 3-0 to England.

I wonder what odds I could have got at the bookies for an England win at the start of (delayed) play today?

PW

Ask the Sri lanka batsmen, they are probably very rich now!

[Pete L]

I'm not taking up betting...if they coped with a drying pitch in the first innnings, why not the second?

[TheKentishFledgling]

2nd test:

England now lead by 310 on the last the day, Cook having hit yet another 100. IMHO a reasonable time to declare. I'd have thought 350 is being overly cautious.

[Propwash]

I'd have thought 350 is being overly cautious.

Although on that flat track 550 may not have been enough to bowl out SL, even with Dilshan unlikely to bat with his thumb injury. Lord's really must do something about the pitches they are starting to produce every year; there should be some noticeable deterioration over 5 days, but that one, like so many in recent years, hardly changed. I want to see a fair balance between bat and ball - 500 plays 500 in the first innings makes that unlikely if the pitch stays flat and doesn't turn in the second. (Mind you, England weren't at their best with the ball which didn't help) If we get another like that for the India test, with the level of support they always get in London, they will think they are playing a home test match.

I sat through all 5 days (you were sadly missed TkF) - on the first 2 I thought I was being microwaved alive it was so hot. On the next one I nearly froze to death as the wind changed direction straight into my face, and on the fourth I got so wet getting into the ground that I think I shrank. Not one of the most memorable test matches I have attended. Anyone know where I can get some cheap glass to mend a window?

PW

[TheKentishFledgling]

RIghty so who's going to miss out for the final test to let Anderson back in? I think it's most likely to be Finn, but if the selectors are feeling brave it might be Broad.

However, with the top order scoring runs as they are, if Pietersen hadn't scored those runs the other day, he'd be the most sensible omission....