England Cricket Thread 2011

[taylorsworkrate]

Bit of a soft shot that from Bell.  He was looking good too.

Need Cook to go on and make a big one now.

[taylorsworkrate]

Really interesting first day so far.  A much improved Sri Lankan bowling display so far, on a pitch thats good, but offers a little for consistent bowling.

Poor start from England, KP's shot pretty ordinary.  Cook and Bell played well, Bell played a bit of a soft shot to get out.  Cook looks very solid as usual, waiting for the bowlers to make a mistake and bowl to his strengths.  He then punishes them brutally.

Morgan's looked good since coming in.  Took the game to the spinner really well.  A session of Morgan and Cook and we'll be well on top.
 
Still got to question Sri Lanka's ability to bowl England out twice though, even with the improvement in bowling.  Conversely, England's seam bowlers should enjoy a pitch that seems to have a bit of pace about it.

[Villan For Life]

KP is not doing too well at the moment, he must be getting dangerously close to being dropped.

I think he'll be in the team to at least the end of the summer.  One of the great strengths about the England set up is the consistency of selection.  I'd also back KP to come through with at least one match winning / setting up innings against India.(Such as his double century at Adelaide, which was scored at a great pace, giving us plenty of time to bowl Australia out second time around).

If by the end of summer his form has not returned, then possibly look elsewhere to at least put the frighteners up him.

I can't agree with that logic. KP should come good.

[hilts_coolerking]

Cook just given it away on 96.  Still, unbelievable run of form he has been in.

[taylorsworkrate]

KP is not doing too well at the moment, he must be getting dangerously close to being dropped.

I think he'll be in the team to at least the end of the summer.  One of the great strengths about the England set up is the consistency of selection.  I'd also back KP to come through with at least one match winning / setting up innings against India.(Such as his double century at Adelaide, which was scored at a great pace, giving us plenty of time to bowl Australia out second time around).

If by the end of summer his form has not returned, then possibly look elsewhere to at least put the frighteners up him.

I can't agree with that logic. KP should come good.

Thats what I said wasn't it?

[The Left Side]

Come on Morgan get that tonne!

[Dave Cooper please]

Come on Morgan get that tonne!

D'oh.

[hilts_coolerking]

Morgan gone LBW for 79, on referral.

Botham, showing his usual keen judgment, said as Sri Lanka called for the referral, "They've just wasted one there."  It was plumb.

[hilts_coolerking]

Nothing quite like a Lord's test in the evening sunshine.  Especially when Broad just creams a drive through the off side.

And then an even better one from Matt Prior, who is batting really well.

[hilts_coolerking]

After losing 3 wickets in the first 8 overs 342 for 6 is a really good comeback from England.

[VillaZogmariner]

Amazing stat that before today Broad had only faced 1 ball in 10 months of Test cricket (the hat trick ball in Brisbane).

[hilts_coolerking]

Amazing stat that before today Broad had only faced 1 ball in 10 months of Test cricket (the hat trick ball in Brisbane).

It's a weird one isn't it?  Although I think that span only covers 5 matches (including this one), 3 of which he missed through injury.  It's testament to how dominant the top order have been that he's not been needed.  I thought he looked good with the bat this evening though, considering how long a gap that is.

[PaulWinch again]

Our middle order have done really well.

[hilts_coolerking]

They have although rode their luck at times.  The ball was moving about a bit and there was some good bounce there too so Broad, Tremlett and Finn are going to cause problems I think.

[PaulWinch again]

We do have a tendency to consistently bowl too short.