1. #16101
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    Well the game is moving on a pace, after not taking a single wicket to spin in the first innings Eng have two. With the pitch taking to spin nicely it could explode by the time Eng bat last. Whatever Sri Lanka put up to chase it isn't going to be easy and unless Eng up their game against spin they could get skittled.

  2. #16102
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    Make that another two, this could end on day 4.

  3. #16103
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    Gawd, 6 down for 66 and a lead of 103. Definitely 4 days.

  4. #16104
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    All that hard work and SL have basically thrown it all away before lunch.

    It's England's to lose.

  5. #16105
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    Its is a shame for them, they have been let down by really poor batting displays bookending the two matches.

  6. #16106
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    A little panicky, still possible for the tail to make it uncomfortable for England.

  7. #16107
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    Embuldeniya stretching the lead to 160.

    England so far second best in this crucial post lunch period.

    Could still go either way now, but it’s the batsmen smiling.

  8. #16108
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Now a lead of 163 all out.

    I'd say that it's pretty even.

    It probably all rests on Root again.

    It would be nice to have some openers one could trust to put on 50 without loss, rather than the callow youths we have at the moment.

  9. #16109
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Well England can be patient here and not rush to try and get an extra night on the piss.

    Sibley and Crawley need to show some gumption as well, they've only managed a couple of dozen runs or so between them in three innings.

    Added: Didn't I post too fucking soon.



    Atherton: "Played pretty nicely for his 13"

    Oh fuck off.

  10. #16110
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    Pitch is looking difficult if that delivery to Crawley is anything to go by.

    17/1

  11. #16111
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Added: Didn't I post too fucking soon.

  12. #16112
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    Atherton: "Played pretty nicely for his 13"
    Aussie commentator if Aussie got 13: "Bloody useless mongrel pulled 13 out of his arse". Klarse is what it's about

  13. #16113
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Root out for 11.

    Different game now.

  14. #16114
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    England win the Moose Cup, can't post a picture of it...

  15. #16115
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    They did the job and got an extra night on the piss. But making 4 wickets was silly. Bet a few English sphincter muscles were clenched.

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    Quote Originally Posted by TheRealKW View Post
    But making 4 wickets was silly
    Umm...KW...that doesn't make sense.

  17. #16117
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    Eng are in a bubble and going to India for a series so there are no nights on the piss - unless they do it via zoom.

  18. #16118
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    Cricket scores around the world-rootmoose250101-min-jpg

    Makes it all worth it...

  19. #16119
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by strigils View Post
    Eng are in a bubble and going to India for a series so there are no nights on the piss - unless they do it via zoom.
    I bet they have exclusive access to the hotel bar tonight.

    The whole hotel is a bubble remember?

  20. #16120
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda View Post
    I bet they have exclusive access to the hotel bar tonight.

    The whole hotel is a bubble remember?
    True, lets hope there more than one lady behind the bar or she'll be walking like marion morrison tomorrow.

  21. #16121
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    Cricket scores around the world-rootmoose250101-min-jpg

    Makes it all worth it...

    Slightly larger than the Ashes.

  22. #16122
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    Looking forward to next weekend, not only the Six Nations but Friday sees the start of the India v England series, although resting players who have played against spin in the Sri Lanka series is going make the step up even more challenging against an India side who also rested some stars, enforced or otherwise but nevertheless came back from Oz having won the Test series with a depleted side.

    nice article on Cricbuzz which attempts to explain the selection dilemma.

    Silverwood 'perfectly happy' with resting key England players

    Chris Silverwood says he stands by the decision to rest England's multi-format players from certain periods of their winter programme following criticism from some quarters that England will not be picking their best team for the upcoming Test series against India.

    It was confirmed last week that Jonny Bairstow, Mark Wood and Sam Curran will return home following England's two-nil series victory against Sri Lanka and miss the first two Tests in Chennai, the first of which begins next Friday (February 5), while Jos Buttler will play the first game and then rest for the final three. Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer were rested for the Sri Lanka series but have returned for the India Tests.

    The approach has been agreed between Ed Smith, the national selector, Silverwood and Joe Root, the captain, as England look to manage both the workloads and the mental health of their players during a hectic start to a huge year of cricket. England play six Tests in eight weeks and then have five T20Is and three ODIs against India before their limited overs players head to the IPL. A packed summer follows, including seven Tests, before the Ashes next winter. In the short-term at least, the squad also have to contend with the pressures of living in bio-secure bubbles.

    Nevertheless, England have faced criticism from some former players about the approach given the importance of the India series and England's poor record in the country. Michael Vaughan has been particularly outspoken while a number of Sky Sports commentators, including Rob Key and David Lloyd, challenged England's decision during coverage of the second Test against Sri Lanka. In particular, the absence of Jonny Bairstow for the first two matches against India has been queried given he is one of England's best players of spin.

    Despite that criticism, Silverwood said he stood by England's approach: "I stand by it. We've got to look after our people. We're spending a lot of time locked in hotel rooms inside bio-secure bubbles and it's not easy. It's good that we're being proactive and looking after people. I'm perfectly happy with the system we're using at the moment."

    When asked what he would say to supporters who wondered why England players were missing international duty but would be playing a second IPL in six months later this year, Silverwood replied: "What can you say? We've decided to rest and rotate, we've decided we need to look after the players. And I do believe we have to be proactive in looking after them, rather than wait until there's a problem. So I'd just ask them to understand why we do what we do, we're resting in the best interests of that player and equally to get the best out of them long term."

    How England handle and communicate with their players is a key consideration. Bairstow, for instance, returned to the Test team in Sri Lanka having been out of the team for a year and now he is being rested, despite making decent contributions in both games in Galle. When he returns to India for the third and fourth Tests, he will not be guaranteed a place in the team. Although Smith said last week that the players have all bought in to the concept of rest and rotation, it will still need careful management.

    "He'll come back into the group then the rest is down to selection," Silverwood said of Bairstow. "We don't make any guarantees to anybody - I don't think you can, you don't know where you'll be at any given time. I do think it's right he has a rest. Jonny is very busy, a multi-format player and we've got to look after him, give him a bit of time at home to chill out.

    "He did well - Jonny asked me the same question and I said he'd done very well. [He] went in during some difficult periods of the game and applied himself well on what were testing wickets. I was pleased with him."

    In Sri Lanka, England overcome limited preparation time, having to bat last in each game and the absence of at least four first-choice players to register their fourth consecutive series win. It continued the progress the team is making under Silverwood who said he and his team had learnt a lot over the past two weeks. "I think we learned we've a lot of character," Silverwood said. "We showed a lot of fight and a lot of resilience. To win the way we did - having lost both tosses - we had to do it the hard way. We're learned that the game plan we've got can work here as well.

    "The most pleasing thing is seeing the plan grow, we've made no secrets - we want big first innings runs and be relentless with the bowling. That's exactly what we've done, we're going past 400 more regularly. Then when we bowl, control the rate and control the game ... the seamers have been outstanding. There's lots of talk of spin but they have been outstanding. For me the most pleasing thing is seeing the plan in place and the guys having success and enjoying themselves."

    England's squad fly by charter plane from Sri Lanka to Chennai tomorrow morning (January 27) where they will have to undergo a six-day quarantine in their hotel before they will be able to train. Stokes, Archer and Rory Burns, who missed the Sri Lanka series on paternity leave, are already in India and will begin training on Saturday provided they pass three COVID-19 PCR tests during their six days in isolation. "If they're fit and ready, if they look good, they'll be available for selection," the head coach said.

    Silverwood also confirmed that he expected Moeen Ali to be available for selection for the first Test against India after missing both games in Sri Lanka having fallen ill with coronavirus. He also said he was "hoping" that Ollie Pope, who has been training with the squad in Galle as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder suffered last summer, would be added to the full squad ahead of the opening game, giving England another batting option.

    Despite the victory in Sri Lanka, Silverwood knows the challenge facing England will go up a notch in India, particularly given their fantastic series victory in Australia. Virat Kohli will be back to lead his team while a number of players injured during the tour down under will be back too. "The one thing Australia has shown is India will be a difficult team to beat," Silverwood said. "It's a great challenge for us.

    "Do I think we can beat them? Yes. I always take the positive side of things - I think we can beat them, but we know it's going to be a hard-fought contest. If we come out on top of this one, confidence again will go through the roof for us. I respect the fact they are a fine side with some really good players. We're going to have to be at the top of our game.

    "We're going there with our eyes open. We know it's going to be a tough challenge. We know they're an excellent team, especially in our own conditions, and we respect that. But I think it's an exciting challenge. We are in a good place. We're constancy growing. But we completely respect how big a challenge it is."

  23. #16123
    Thailand Expat Saint Willy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille View Post
    Umm...KW...that doesn't make sense.

    I think I meant losing 4 wickets, while chasing a low total. But ok.

  24. #16124
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    Quote Originally Posted by strigils View Post
    We are in a good place. We're constancy growing. But we completely respect how big a challenge it is."
    Having Broad and Anderson as your main bowling attack is not moving forward. And apart from Root your batsmen are just as inconstant as Australia.

    I predict India will take you in and spit you out

  25. #16125
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    Quote Originally Posted by Loy Toy View Post
    I predict India will take you in and spit you out
    LoyToy you may be right, they certainly did the Oz and its great you've taken the hammering so well

    Given your obvious envy of England i thought you may like this article on Root, amazing that he's only been Capt for 3 years, seems much longer.

    Joe Root - Entertainer, perfectionist, leader, legend


    Joe Root will become one of only 15 England players to feature in 100 Tests

    When Joe Root takes the field for his 100th Test in Chennai this week, he will join an exclusive club. Out of England's 697 Test players, only 14 have reached that landmark before. Having just turned 30, with a Test average of 49 and 19 Test hundreds to his name, his place in the annals of English cricket is already assured. "He is one of the greatest players of our time," Eoin Morgan says. What's more, there is plenty still to come.

    In a series of exclusive interviews with Cricbuzz, those who know Root best share their memories of his career so far.

    The Early Years

    Kevin Sharp, former Yorkshire academy coach:Joe was 12 years old and about four foot tall the first time I met him. I was in the nets working with Anthony McGrath. After we finished, I asked Joe what he wanted to work on. He looked at me straight in the eyes and said: 'I want you to challenge me. I want the same session that Anthony McGrath's just had.' I had been throwing the ball at Mags from about eight yards, quickly. I said to Joe that I couldn't, I'd hurt him. He insisted. So, he faced a few and then I let him have this bouncer. It was a beauty. He swayed and it clipped his grill on the way through. He looked at me, smiled and said: 'Oooooo that were a good ball weren't it?'

    Jos Buttler, England teammate:It was the Bunbury festival when I first saw him. Tiny little lad who had a brilliant technique but didn't hit it too far. At least now the ones he used to hit for two go for four. But he looked a proper player from a very young age. He is someone I have always felt - a little bit like Kane Williamson - seem older and more experienced than they actually are.

    Nick Lopez, teammate at Prospect CC in Adelaide during the winter of 2010/11:He stood out as a good player but not necessarily as a special player. He went from averaging less than 30 in Adelaide premier cricket in 2011 to playing for England by 2012. No one here saw that coming.

    Test debut vs India in Nagpur

    Morgan:Watching him in the nets in India on that tour, you thought, 'Jeez, this guy is pretty good.'

    Andy Flower, former England head coach: The first time I saw Joe play was on Sky. I thought, wow, that is a technique that looks like it would work in international cricket. I had no qualms in playing him in that Test. What stood out for me was that he was calm at the crease, but alert, and had a very good method. He was very skilful and just reinforced that view of him as being a guy that could handle an unfamiliar pressure situation. He came through with flying colours.

    Dropped for the final Test of the 2013/14 Ashes series

    Flower: It was a serious examination and Joe was still discovering himself as a player. Sometimes when you leave someone out when they've been struggling, you can see the relief on their faces. With him it was different. He was genuinely disappointed. He wanted to keep fighting on. Even though he can appear quite diffident and very gentle, there's definitely some steel in Joe.

    Paul Farbrace, former England assistant coach: That tough winter drove him on. The sign of real quality players is when they have a knock, they bounce back very quickly. He played brilliantly that following summer.

    Jos Buttler rated Joe Root's 254 against Pakistan at Old Trafford as his best knock

    Buttler:I wasn't playing but I went to watch when he scored 254 against Pakistan at Old Trafford [in 2016]. That was when people were wondering whether he could bat three. He just seemed from ball one that he was going to score big runs. He is one of those players that on certain days, he decides he is going to score a hundred. That was one.

    Keaton Jennings, England batsman:The 190 in his first match as captain against South Africa at Lord's was an absolutely fantastic innings to watch and be part of. In the teamtalk, he had his notebook out and seemed a bit nervous. But under all that pressure, the expectation as the captain of England, to go out and get a big hundred was just amazing.

    Farbrace:His hundred in 2015 in Cardiff, against Australia when we won the Ashes, would be high up on my list. That was a high-quality innings. The 2017/18 series in Australia, it would have been great if we had just had him just as a player rather than the captain as well. But in that final game in Sydney, it would have been easy to cave in. He was really, really ill, had been to hospital. Yet to go out and bat showed some real guts and desire. He didn't get loads but crikey, he didn't give it away even then.

    Graham Thorpe, England batting coach:I remember the hundred he got in Johannesburg in 2016, on a lively, bouncy surface. It was a fantastic hundred. A top international batsman is someone who can do it on a fast track and also on a real turner. Joe has done it on both.

    Chris Woakes, England fast-bowler:For me, the double hundred in Sri Lanka a couple of weeks ago is right up there. The way he went through the gears and how at ease he looked in those conditions. No disservice to our other players but it didn't look as easy for anyone else.

    Preparation

    Jennings:We had a net in Sri Lanka where you bat in pairs and he said to me, 'Right, every ball you have to attack'. And then it was every ball you had to defend, then hit every ball against the spin. He pushes his skill level further by being innovative like that in practice.

    Lopez: I remember the head of the Darren Lehmann academy saying he worked the hardest out of almost any of the other English players that came over here.

    Morgan:Over the years, I've watched Joe strive to get better every day, tinkering with absolutely everything. His flawless technique and how he grooves it, I learn from that on a daily basis. It is a privilege to watch.

    Buttler: What has always amazed me is that he can tinker around with things in the middle of a series but then go out there and just play the ball brilliantly well. Attention to detail, volume of balls, it comes from an incredible love of the game.

    Joe Root's first Test match as captain was against South Africa at Lord's in 2017

    Farbrace: I don't think captaincy came easy to him to start with. Once Cooky finished [retired], it became his team and he was more comfortable. He has grown into the captaincy.

    Chris Silverwood, England head coach: I think the way he manages the bowlers on the park now, the way he addresses the players, I think he's grown in every area.

    Morgan: We have learnt from each other over the years, going through both the good and the bad together. We work closely. The biggest thing for me is our friendship and the way that we value things we say to each other. Everything is quite open and honest.

    Flower: He's done it really well, his record is standing up against some of the best. He's been through some really tough times, but like most captains of England if they do it for a period of time, they will go through some tough times.

    Woakes: He doesn't seem to let things get to him. He stays very, very level. Being England captain is a huge honour, but it is also one of the worst jobs in the world in terms of the pressure and scrutiny. It's a tough job and he deals with it very well.

    The Person

    Sharp: I can remember playfully saying to him one day when he was about 15, make sure you leave me two tickets on the gate when you're playing for England at Lord's. Not long before the first Lord's Test he played in 2013, I got a message from him. It said: 'Are you coming to Lord's so we can fulfil our deal?'

    Farbrace: I knew a young lad, 14 at the time, who was suffering from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I invited him to a practise day. I told Rooty that he was his favourite player. He gave him a pair of gloves, chatted to him. At various stages since, around the lad's exams time and one of his birthdays, Joe put together videos for him.

    Buttler: In Test cricket, I have had lots of challenges and times when other people would have thrown the towel in on me. The confidence Joe has always instilled in me has certainly helped me believe in myself more when I have needed it. He's very smart, a little comment here or there.

    Danny Reuben, England's Head of Team Communications: I'm responsible for organising the layout of the team picture. Before Joe's press conference in Galle last week, we arrived 25 mins early. I told him to go and have a look at the pitch or sort his kit out as I needed to set up the chairs. He said he would help. I said, 'Mate, you're the England captain, you can't do that'. He wasn't having any of it. There he was carrying chairs and laying them out with me and our local liaison.

    Will Joe Root become England's highest run-scorer in Tests?

    Lopez: The Sunday after our last game he organised the club event. He made most of the players drink a beer mixed with tomato juice at one point or another for some indiscretion they had made during the season.

    Thorpe: He likes a mickey-take. He will always ask me if I got runs at this ground or that ground, looking for me to take the bait.

    Woakes: He used to be the first one pratting around in the dressing room, hiding kit. We had this wall during Test matches where funny pictures would go up. He would always be adding to the wall, taking the piss.

    Morgan: I thoroughly enjoy his company over a couple of glasses of red. He has gone from playing the ukulele to playing the guitar. I can't say I enjoyed the ukulele that much. I roomed beside him in Sri Lanka and being next door with a little hole in the wall wasn't that easy on the ear. But having sang alongside him on some late nights on the guitar, he's pretty good.

    Buttler: He pretends he doesn't want to but come the end of the night, he loves to get the guitar out and have a sing. And he just loves the social side of cricket, being with guys after the matches. I loved the Bob Willis impersonation, with the mask on, after the 2015 Ashes.

    The Future

    Farbrace: He will probably end up being England's highest ever Test run scorer. I think he will go past Cooky.

    Thorpe: For me, he will go down as one of the best players in the history of English cricket.

    Buttler: It's obviously hard to say when someone is still playing but he probably sits at that table of English greats already. I think he will just pip Alastair too.

    Morgan: When you talk about the greats of the game, everybody always mentions which certain players were always two steps ahead of the next best player or your average player. Joe is one of those players, amongst Kohli, de Villiers, Smith and Williamson. Joe is one of the best cricketers of our generation.

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