Sri Lanka v England 2012

Batsmen need to step up

Sri Lanka 214 all out with Swann taking 6/82. England need a record fourth innings score to win as England have never successfully chased such a target (a total of 340 is needed) and in addition to make it look even more difficult no team has scored more than 253 in the fourth innings of any of the 18 previous Tests on this ground.

Prasanna Jayawardene made 61 not out,help by the tail.At one stage 127-8,they got to 214 all out.It will take one of the top 3 to make 150+ to have any hope of chasing 340.England 31-1 Cook dismissed via DRS.

England 264 all out, just after tea on the 4th day. Trott made 112 but it wasn't enough as Sri Lanka win the match by 75 runs. Herath took 6/97 for a haul of 12 wickets in the match.

Same old story can't keep failing with the bat in the 1st innings because your always chasing the game.

(29-03-2012 11:08 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Same old story can't keep failing with the bat in the 1st innings because your always chasing the game.

Yes England left themselves with too much to do in the fourth innings. You don't want to be chasing a record score. But at least Swann replied to your criticism with 6 wickets in the Sri Lanka second innings.

(29-03-2012 13:00 )cosmonaut Wrote:  

(29-03-2012 11:08 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  Same old story can't keep failing with the bat in the 1st innings because your always chasing the game.

Yes England left themselves with too much to do in the fourth innings. You don't want to be chasing a record score. But at least Swann replied to your criticism with 6 wickets in the Sri Lanka second innings.

Swann came good & Monty went cold,typical.

England must now win the 2nd & final Test to retain their No.1 status.Just can't see the Sri Lankan batting line-up not clicking.A draw would be the most likely result.

The Sri Lanka-England second test starts today. Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bat first. Bresnan and Finn are in for England replacing Panesar and the injured Broad. Interesting that England are playing Patel as a second spinner rather than Panesar. They are no doubt worried about the strength of their batting, but after a run of low scores that's hardly a surprise.

This was a toss England needed to win.After Anderson's 3 early wickets,Sri Lanka have recovered from 30-3 & are 150-4 with Mahela Jayawardene looking ominously solid on 74
not out,adding 124 with Samaraweera out just before tea for a well made 54.That wicket has kept England in the game,looks a flat pitch.