England 190-1 both Robson and Ballance looking towards their centuries - for Ballance would be 2nd in 2 Tests (out of 3 in total). He'll be a good player .
Considering Ballance hasn't played many Tests, I think he's shaping up fine. He seems to have a good temperament.
The real tests will come against India and then against The Aussies next year. But I'm quite impressed.
I agree with the commentators, that Robson does look very tense. I didn't think he would make the grade, having seen his previous 3 innings, but he's played well so far & I'll say no more as he won't get another run.
Pitch just starting to do a bit, a few full balls popping up amazingly, totally different to the rest of the day. Encouragingly for the bowlers in the second innings.
Bell looks in fine touch once more, currently 39 n.o.
Covered End, I seem to remember (I could be talking about someone else!) that we had a little debate about Bell where you weren't a fan, has this opinion changed?
Pitch just starting to do a bit, a few full balls popping up amazingly, totally different to the rest of the day. Encouragingly for the bowlers in the second innings.
Bell looks in fine touch once more, currently 39 n.o.
Covered End, I seem to remember (I could be talking about someone else!) that we had a little debate about Bell where you weren't a fan, has this opinion changed?
Bell has improved enormously, in the last couple of years. But you're quite right I wasn't a fan, but am now. I think he admits himself, that he used to worry far too much and never felt comfortable, but he has finally come to terms, with playing for England.
This England team is very average. Can see us losing this match. The lack of a decent spinner will start to hurt us now, as they accumulate runs. Herath will then spin them towards victory on the last day. How many more opportunities will Cook get before he gets sent back to Essex to re-build his batting?
This England team is very average. Can see us losing this match. The lack of a decent spinner will start to hurt us now, as they accumulate runs. Herath will then spin them towards victory on the last day. How many more opportunities will Cook get before he gets sent back to Essex to re-build his batting?
We were well on top in this game this time yesterday! We've had a poor day so far but it's all part of the ebbs and flow of test cricket, and what makes it such a good sport and the best format of the game.
Wickets come in clusters at Headingley as we have seen over the years, all is not lost!!
Not sure about average, we are going through a re-building phase. These two test matches have been part of that transition. We have a 23 year old who made a double hundred in this series and has 1000 test runs. Only the 6th English player to do it before 24. We also have had two people in this series making their second appearances in tests, they both made hundreds in these games. For a brand new batting line up, that doesn't seen "average" but more impressive. Also showing we have depth. Trott and KP out but there are people filling these talented guys roles adequately.
Cook is in seriously bad nick, but he has been in that position before with people calling for him to be dropped but England stuck with him, and he repayed with some serious runs.
Agree about the spinner though, a big issue for English cricket at the moment.
This England team is very average. Can see us losing this match. The lack of a decent spinner will start to hurt us now, as they accumulate runs. Herath will then spin them towards victory on the last day. How many more opportunities will Cook get before he gets sent back to Essex to re-build his batting?
Now Steve gets on the England bashing band-wagon, regardless of the sport ! I'll bring your comment back on Monday or Tuesday at latest, when England stroll over the finishing line.
Where's Riviera ? He would have had something to say about your comment too !
This England team is very average. Can see us losing this match. The lack of a decent spinner will start to hurt us now, as they accumulate runs. Herath will then spin them towards victory on the last day. How many more opportunities will Cook get before he gets sent back to Essex to re-build his batting?
Now Steve gets on the England bashing band-wagon, regardless of the sport ! I'll bring your comment back on Monday or Tuesday at latest, when England stroll over the finishing line.
Where's Riviera ? He would have had something to say about your comment too !
I took over the role of dissecting it from Riviera, however, slightly less rudely I would imagine :-).
Sri Lanka aren't a very good test cricket team though, so we should be competing with them on home soil. Agree that we are now in the stage of re-building, so have to give time. Surely we should be developing a proper spinner. Just think that this team would get thrashed against Australia or SA.
Sri Lanka aren't a very good test cricket team though, so we should be competing with them on home soil. Agree that we are now in the stage of re-building, so have to give time. Surely we should be developing a proper spinner. Just think that this team would get thrashed against Australia or SA.
People are so fickle. 1 year ago we beat Oz 3-0 , 18 months ago we beat India IN INDIA 2-1, and after 1 series whitewash and the fact that we are not smashing SL in 2 days everyone jumps on the band-wagon. We do have a 'proper' spinner in Monty - however, he seems to be going through a bit of a personal 'plight' at the moment - but not many nations have as many choices as we did/do. Some people !
Comments
HAT-TRICK FOR BROAD !!!!!!!!
England 190-1 both Robson and Ballance looking towards their centuries - for Ballance would be 2nd in 2 Tests (out of 3 in total). He'll be a good player .
He seems to have a good temperament.
The real tests will come against India and then against The Aussies next year. But I'm quite impressed.
I agree with the commentators, that Robson does look very tense. I didn't think he would make the grade, having seen his previous 3 innings, but he's played well so far & I'll say no more as he won't get another run.
Robson 98no.
Pitch just starting to do a bit, a few full balls popping up amazingly, totally different to the rest of the day. Encouragingly for the bowlers in the second innings.
Bell looks in fine touch once more, currently 39 n.o.
Covered End, I seem to remember (I could be talking about someone else!) that we had a little debate about Bell where you weren't a fan, has this opinion changed?
I think he admits himself, that he used to worry far too much and never felt comfortable, but he has finally come to terms, with playing for England.
Lets hope we can stretch our lead to 150 this morning. Go Matty boy!.
The pitch has started doing all sorts of odd things, such as invariable bounce.
Anderson, Broad, Plunkett and Jordan are going to have some fun on this pitch. Seaming, variable bounce and also some swing.
Can see us losing this match.
The lack of a decent spinner will start to hurt us now, as they accumulate runs.
Herath will then spin them towards victory on the last day.
How many more opportunities will Cook get before he gets sent back to Essex to re-build his batting?
Wickets come in clusters at Headingley as we have seen over the years, all is not lost!!
Not sure about average, we are going through a re-building phase. These two test matches have been part of that transition. We have a 23 year old who made a double hundred in this series and has 1000 test runs. Only the 6th English player to do it before 24. We also have had two people in this series making their second appearances in tests, they both made hundreds in these games. For a brand new batting line up, that doesn't seen "average" but more impressive. Also showing we have depth. Trott and KP out but there are people filling these talented guys roles adequately.
Cook is in seriously bad nick, but he has been in that position before with people calling for him to be dropped but England stuck with him, and he repayed with some serious runs.
Agree about the spinner though, a big issue for English cricket at the moment.
I'll bring your comment back on Monday or Tuesday at latest, when England stroll over the finishing line.
Where's Riviera ? He would have had something to say about your comment too !
Agree that we are now in the stage of re-building, so have to give time.
Surely we should be developing a proper spinner.
Just think that this team would get thrashed against Australia or SA.
Some people !