England Win 2nd Test.....Congratulations/Commiserations thread !

[Amjid Javed]

England likely to be unchanged from lords. Sri lanka make one change with Vandort replacing mubarak @ top of the order. Malinga may also play.

Sri lanka leave out jayasuriya saying that there focus is to go forward and develope for the future. A brave move by the team.

[kablooee87]

Brave isn't the word I would use.

[Amjid Javed]

Brave isn't the word I would use.

How long is jayasuriya going to be around for? Yes his experience would be great. I just think sri lanka had a policy in place before the tour that they would give youngsters a go and from their point of view i can see why jayasuriya hasnt been recalled.

Id recall him, but sri lanka are going foward and are following there plans.

[Hash]

Weather is not looking too great for this test.........expect interruptions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This might well be another draw.

[Easa]

Strange decision to keep Jayasuria out of the game. Mubarak and Tharanga looked clueless when the ball was doing a bit.

[z10]

Jayasuriya should never have returned from retirement

[Amjid Javed]

I guess when attapatu returns from injury after this tour the sri lankans may get some stability back at top of order. Right now looks like the young lambs have been throw to the wolves.

[ShowStopper]

Jayasuria Should have played in the second text, Players like Jayasuria can go on well into their 40s.

[W63L35]

I think, England will win easily.....just a prediction!

[Easa]

I predict a Sri lankan win or a draw,

[Rob H]

I predict a riot.....

but seriously, i live not too far from Edgbaston and it has rained for 6 days on trot. Now i've woken up this morning and there is some sun out. There will be plenty of interuptions in this match.

[James]

Does anyone know what the wicket will be like? It it offers assistance to the seam bowling then a result is still possible even in an interrupted match.

[Saqlain_doosra]

Sun is shining here, so play should start 11. Infact it's beating down where the ground is. Let see how long it last though

[Shayan]

England name unchanged team

[ShowStopper]

I predict a riot.

:)) :)) :))

But Why?

[shabbu1]

Hoggard bowls Tharanga...

Sri Lanka 3/1

[Easa]

Tharanga gone.

:))

[Billy]

Don't be messin wit' da' Plunk now y'all.

He'll mess you up reeeal good.

Or something.

[Easa]

25-4

Miserable performance so far by the Lankans.

Samaraweera having a tough time of it.

* 5,000th post! :27:

[James]

What a great start!

a couple of catches have been taken, this is strange...

[James]

Plunkett draws Sangakarra's edge with a good delivery

46-5

Good toss to lose :) :) :)

[ShowStopper]

Plunkett draws Sangakarra's edge with a good delivery

46-5

Good toss to lose :) :) :)

Now wait and see what happens on day three before :) :) :) You never know. what lies ahead.

[James]

All I can be happy about is our performance so far. Lost the toss on what looked like a good batting day and are well on top. Of course it could all change suddenly, like test cricket does.

[Usman]

Poor Sri Lanka, they seem to move one step forward and then three steps back!

[James]

What a shame Jaya didn't play :27:

[James]

First chance of the day goes down but it was a very difficult one, then Plunkett nearly gets Dilshan leg before. All in 1 over.

Brilliant bowling from him this morning, could have had a 5-fer already!

[Raz]

What a shame Jaya didn't play :27:

A shame indeed, I sensed a 134 from 65 ball type innings from Jaya :16:

[James]

Hoggard appeals for leg before...looked out to me!

[UJ]

Poor start by Sri Lanka, but this is test cricket. Its not over just yet!

[James]

Dropped again. That one wasn't so difficult :12:

[Raz]

I hope England can finish them off now, just need that killer blow.

[James]

We should be looking at getting Lankans 100 all out or so. If we let them off the hook with dropped catches again I wont be happy.

[James]

Yayyyyy! Maharoof caught behind off Sajid, great timing for a wicket :)

This is good for Freddie because if the young attack keeps on doing well after lunch he gets a rest for an innings

[Easa]

Sril lankans really in the **** as players go for lunch.

Superb bowling by Plunkett, good line and lenght, and getting enough assistance from the wicket.

England have now dropped 12 catches in this series, and we've had 15 to 16 sessions in this test series.

:))

[James]

12 dropped catches and we are still in control of the series, says a lot about the Lankan team I'm afraid...

Hopefully Monty comes onto bowl in this session. All the England fans seem to really like him, I just hope he doesnt misinterprate the encouragement he gets when fielding, he could think they were laughing at him and it would lower his confidence. He really isnt that bad a fielder you know.

Giles has been getting so much stick over his career for being a boring defensive bowler that leaks runs a lot of the time, but England fans seem to have found a spinner who bowls tight spells and also attacks the stumps, they have been crying out for one of those for a while. The tour figures didn't do justice to Monty's quality of bowling in India, he played pretty well in one of the hardest places to go as a foreign spinner (and on his debut!)

[Shayan]

82/8

[Rana]

our batsmen have to watch and learn from this

otherwise we could end up like this aswell

[Rana]

but surely inzi and MoYo will be quite good on these tracks

[Shayan]

monty just dropped a catch

[inzamam_1]

what is going on with Malingas hair ??
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/image/248281.html

[Hash]

141 all out.

Pathetic.

[Rob H]

Beautiful day here in Birmingham and the cricket has matched it. Good bowling effort to get them out for 141. Plunkett has finally proven his worth to the test team. The batting pitch once again is a beauty at Edgbaston and i think England should post at least 400.

[Rob H]

crashing cut shot 4 from Strauss. A classic.

[HAFRIDI]

Poor stuff from the Lankans.

Well played Eng, glad Saj picked up a few;)

[Officer Barbrady]

Sanity restored.

[Rob H]

Malinga looking average. No real length to his bowling yet.

[Rob H]

Trescothick dismissing the trash offered up to him. Only the rain can save the Sri Lankans now.

[Billy]

Only the rain can save the Sri Lankans now.

Don't get cocky.

Murali could still have a huge say in this yet.

[Muyazzim Khan]

Malinga looking average. No real length to his bowling yet.

What do you mean looking he is average. Sri Lankans were taken apart by Asif alone in their own back yard. What chance of them handling Flintoff and co in England?

I hope they get stuffed along with the smug Moody.

[Big Mac]

Banger tries to cut a ball that's too close for that shot and the extra bounce finds the edge and Sanga takes a good catch. Strikes with his 3rd ball, 56/1

[Rob H]

3rd ball from Murali and Tres is gone. Top spinner and he edges it behind.

[Big Mac]

Strauss run out after a bit of hesitation, he must have been ball watching.

69/2

[Big Mac]

That's comical running from Strauss

[Big Mac]

and a couple of balls later Cook is dropped at slip

[Rob H]

that was ridiculous. Pakistani-esque, he kept his eye on the ball. Cook now dropped. England on the rocks!

[Rob H]

Pietersen lamps Murali back over his head for 6. What a shot.

[Rob H]

what a cover drive from KP. He's picking up where he left off from Lord's.

[Rob H]

4 more, full toss on leg stump and dispatched!. 100 up now with 2 down. Pietersen going like a train.

[Nauman]

Wow the more consistent beast is doing very well. Well done beast :P

[Rob H]

Cook gone for 23. LBW to Muralidiran. The Doosra!. He didn't really pick it and was plumb infront. 125/3.

[Hash]

How many overs left?

If we could get one more wicket that would be great.

[Nauman]

How many overs left?

If we could get one more wicket that would be great.
Yeah need to get the beast out :P

[HAFRIDI]

How many overs left?

If we could get one more wicket that would be great.

:O

[Billy]

I think we could have avoided losing one of Strauss or Cook on a better day but I'd take 138/3 in light of Sri Lanka's dismal first innings display.

400 would be great but even 300 could see us through if the bowlers bowl well in Sri Lanka's second innings.

[Billy]

:O

Hash is an ABE.

Like Dileep on Cricinfo.

[Amjid Javed]

looks like england are on top here. They will probably look to get a lead of 150-200+ atleast. Once again sri lankans batting is exposed when ball moves around, Its gona take a mamouth effort to stay in match now just like @ lords.

[James]

Well done England. Not perfect, but everyone (except Hash and the Lankans :P) would have taken this at the start of the day. If England get 400 they should be safe, but if we have one of our lame collapses tomorrow morning then the lead will be ok but not great. Then, the Lankans should produce an improved batting display, and we could have trouble chasing a target against Murali on a wicket that typically deteriorates throughout a test match.

Very happy so far though after losing the toss. A century from somebody would really assert our position and once again, Pietersen looks the most likely candidate.

[Hash]

174 for 4 now.

Sri Lanka need to get England for less than 250 to stand any chance at all. Will require a Murali special.

[Billy]

193/4 at lunch.

Pietersen 65*
Collingwood 10*

[HAFRIDI]

im off to see lunch interval and then hope for some BEASTLY KP hits

[UJ]

If KP bats for another hour after lunch then it'll be ready difficult for SL. They really need wickets!!

[Saqib_Boss_Man]

5 out now

[Easa]

280-5

Pietersen has made another majestic ton. Superb innings, what a player.

England: 280/5 (72.2 Ovs)
K Pietersen* 134(148)
A Flintoff 8(45)

[Pathan007]

71.3 Muralitharan to Pietersen, FOUR, this time he bowls the doosra, sits up nicely for Pietersen, who cuts to the backward-point fence, well played
71.2 Muralitharan to Pietersen, FOUR, tossed up, uses his feet and drives well to wide long off fence, good shot, wonderful batting from Pietersen
71.1 Muralitharan to Pietersen, FOUR, tossed up, uses his feet well and drives well and flat to the extra-cover fence, good shot

[z10]

Pietersen is in his zenith, his zone

I haven't seen such batting since Lara took apart Kaneria last year

[Pathan007]

73.3 Muralitharan to Pietersen, SIX, full toss, a pre-meditated shot, reverse sweeps high and over point fence, amazing shot.

[z10]

brilliant brilliant brilliant!!!

[Pathan007]

73.5 Muralitharan to Pietersen, OUT, Muralitharan picks up his 4th wicket, after being hit, he strikes, doosra tossed up on the stumps, Pietersen goes for the sweep, misses it, strikes the pad in line with the stumps, loud shout, given by the Umpire
KP Pietersen lbw b Muralitharan 142 (157b 20x4 3x6) sr: 90.44

[Billy]

Well, we'll fall short of the kind of score needed to win by an innings but if we get close to a lead of 200 then that should be ok.

[Oxy]

KP doing the business these days.

[Easa]

Superb innings by Pietersen.

What a player!

[Saqib_Boss_Man]

good knock by KP
Sri Lanka really needed that wicket

[Hash]

Flintoff bowled by Malinga.

290 for 7

If SL can instigate a spectacular collapse then they are not completely out of it if they can show some fight with the bat in the 2nd innings

[Easa]

Freddie bowled.

Malinga strikes.

[Uzi]

good knock by KP
Sri Lanka really needed that wicket

Yeah, but they needed it a lot earlier.

[Saqib_Boss_Man]

SRi Lanka now needs to wrap this up quikly

[Billy]

Not quite what I had in mind, Liam.

Oh for a quickfire Harmison 25.

[Hash]

Plunkett gone too!

293 for 8!

COME ON!!!

[Saqib_Boss_Man]

Sri Lanka on a roll now

2 more to go now

[Hash]

Jones gone

Murali gets his 6th!

Over confident and arogant England are being taught a lesson in how to play cricket!

Come SL......not out of this game yet!

[Hash]

295 all out!

FANTASTIC!

Lead of 153. SL need to get at least 350 now...show some fight boys. COME ON!

[Uzi]

That was one hell of a collapse.

[Uzi]

5 wickets fell for 5 runs. Now that is comical.

Lets hope the Lankans can do well with the bat 2nd time round.

[Hash]

Flintoff bowled by Malinga.

290 for 7

If SL can instigate a spectacular collapse then they are not completely out of it if they can show some fight with the bat in the 2nd innings

I am a genius.

[Pathan007]

now SL need to set up a target of atleast 250

[Rob H]

Jones gone

Murali gets his 6th!

Over confident and arogant England are being taught a lesson in how to play cricket!

Come SL......not out of this game yet!
that's rich coming from an arrogant person..... plus i think bowling them for 150 less showed them how to play......

[Hash]

that's rich coming from an arrogant person..... plus i think bowling them for 150 less showed them how to play......

:))) Thanks for taking the bait :19:

[Uzi]

Sri Lanka make a good start.

[Rob H]

Sri Lanka already up against it.

[Hash]

6 for 1

Tharanga was out first ball.

147 behind still. Sangakarra needs to play a big one.

[Rob H]

:))) Thanks for taking the bait :19:
;-)

[Pathan007]

this tharanga guy is a crap player. can't even play a single over from hoggy.

[Rob H]

Hoggard swinging it further than Waqar and Wasim combined

[Rob H]

Hoggard swinging it further than Waqar and Wasim combined
:121:

[z10]

:91:

[Pathan007]

khud hi line per agiya, Rob saab :D

[Rob H]

falling back in line or something? (please tell me if i'm wrong)

[Pathan007]

^yea u got it

[Rob H]

^yea u got it
i'm improving :D

[z10]

rob ki urdu behtar hoti ja rahi hai

[Rob H]

rob ki urdu behtar hoti ja rahi hai
:)))

[Hash]

kya baat hai Rob bhai?

[Rob H]

kya baat hai Rob bhai?
don't push it

[Hash]

don't push it

kya? tum larki hau apa? :20:

[Big Mac]

Jonty Panesar \o/

[Farhad]

Hoggard swinging it further than Waqar and Wasim combined

Yah, a straight line as opposite line swings are added.

[Rob H]

Yah, a straight line as opposite line swings are added.
que?

Anyway that ball by Monty to get Samaraweera was a beauty. He got it to turn and bounce past the bat and catch him too far down the crease.

[Amjid Javed]

S.L 60/4

panesar bowling very well here... looks like an inns defeat for sri lanka.

[Amjid Javed]

Sri lanka up to 78/4 now still 76 behind.

[Hash]

Sri Lanka batting at Wasti pace.

[Amjid Javed]

Vandort gets three off his legs.

S.L 85/4

[Rob H]

86/4 end of play.

[Amjid Javed]

Sri lanka 85/4 close day 2.

[KB]

Pieterson played a maginficent innings again. He is some player. Great self-belief and great ability.

Very unorthodox player which makes him a difficult batsman to bowl to.

[Oxy]

Pieterson played a maginficent innings again. He is some player. Great self-belief and great ability.

Very unorthodox player which makes him a difficult batsman to bowl to.I thought he was ORTHODOX v the Aussies last year - has the complete game imo

[Billy]

His first two innings against the Australians at Lord's illustrated the strength of his technique. Indeed, he only got out in the first innings because he took to slogging Warne when he was left batting with the tail.

I was very careful not to hype Pietersen up in my own mind to start with but frankly I've given up. For a right handed batsman to score runs off Murali's bowling with such ease, in an innings in which the great spinner took six wickets, tells you all you need to know about his ability.

[Rob H]

His first two innings against the Australians at Lord's illustrated the strength of his technique. Indeed, he only got out in the first innings because he took to slogging Warne when he was left batting with the tail.

I was very careful not to hype Pietersen up in my own mind to start with but frankly I've given up. For a right handed batsman to score runs off Murali's bowling with such ease, in an innings in which the great spinner took six wickets, tells you all you need to know about his ability.
although i really don't want to dampen the spirits he did get a couple of lucky lbw appeals against him. The way he dispatched the pacemen too was impressive. Kalusekera (can't spell his name) was treated as a sunday league bowler.

[Billy]

although i really don't want to dampen the spirits he did get a couple of lucky lbw appeals against him.

To be honest I'd have only given the second appeal and even then Snicko did hint at noise of some sort which Hair would clearly have heard.

He's been lucky in the past no doubt, but given the stature of the bowler he was facing and the style in which he played him I'd say it's pretty good going to have only one good shout against you in an innings of 142.

[Officer Barbrady]

For a right handed batsman to score runs off Murali's bowling with such ease, in an innings in which the great spinner took six wickets, tells you all you need to know about his ability.

Well said.

[Hash]

Rain has delayed proceedings at Edgbaston on day 3.

They have taken an early lunch. No play so far at all.

The Sri Lankans are down but not quite out yet......if we can show some fight and bottle like we did in the 1st test and get a lead of 150-180, Murali could do something.

Going to be very difficult ofcoarse and will require a couple of big knocks.......Dilshan is important.

COME ON SRI LANKA!

[khanpuria]

HASH, r u sri lankan??

[Hash]

HASH, r u sri lankan??

Nope. I am Pakistani.

[Rob H]

I have tickets for todays play but still havent gone down there. The weather here in Brum is a lost cause today.

[Hash]

The forecast is that it should start to clear up after 4pm.

Looks like the entire day will be washed out. Good news for Sri Lanka.

[Rob H]

The forecast is that it should start to clear up after 4pm.

Looks like the entire day will be washed out. Good news for Sri Lanka.
survival by Default

[Easa]

Play still hasn't started.

Kulasekera - this guy surely isn't a test bowler? A real pie thrower.

[Rob H]

Sun is out :108:

[Daoud]

Play still hasn't started.

Kulasekera - this guy surely isn't a test bowler? A real pie thrower.
And to think on the BBC site they had a picture of Kulasekera and it was labelled Mohammed Asif. :))

[Oxy]

Sun is out :108:

What did he score? How was he out?

[Easa]

What did he score? How was he out?

:))) :)))

[Rob H]

What did he score? How was he out?
3 minutes, caught and bowled clouds

[Oxy]

3 minutes, caught and bowled cloudsUsual way

[Rob H]

Usual way
indeed

[Amjid Javed]

Play to start in 30 mins if there is no more rain or interuptions.

34 overs minimum in the day.

[Amjid Javed]

vandort and dilshan in the middle. will game end tonite?

[Amjid Javed]

Huge appeal for lbw from hoggy.

Aleem dar says not out! 2nd great decision today!

S.L 90/4 (64 behind)

[Amjid Javed]

Sri lanka 100/4 - Vandort 37* dilshan 23*

[Hash]

54 behind now Sri Lanka.

Keep going.......another 200 runs at least.

[Hash]

Vandort not out 38 from 144 balls.

I think he needs to understand that batting is about two things......

1. Staying in (well done, he got this part)
2. SCORING RUNS!!! (clearly he needs to get this into his head. Just staying in is NOT ENOUGH)

Regardless of the team situation 38 from 144 is a disgrace.

[Amjid Javed]

Regardless of the team situation 38 from 144 is a disgrace.

:20:

yes he needs to score abit faster, but hes still there and thats main thing!

[Amjid Javed]

Sri Lanka 122/4

vandort 45* dilshan 35*

[Amjid Javed]

Monty onto bowl now.

[Amjid Javed]

Vandort slog sweeps panesar for 4.

1 short of 50 now..

[Amjid Javed]

single and 50!

well batted! 162 balls but hes stuck around for his team, Needs to go on and get a ton.

[Amjid Javed]

S.l 127/4 (27 Behind)

[Amjid Javed]

panesar getting ball to turn quite abit, dilshan doesnt look confident.

Giles neva bowled like this!

[Amjid Javed]

Lovely cut shot past backward point for 4 by dilshan.

[Amjid Javed]

Vandort and dilshan have run very well between wickets.

82 runs off 163 balls current partnership.

[Amjid Javed]

S.L 138/4 (16 Behind)

[Amjid Javed]

Vandort starting to play more shots.

30 runs off 120 balls yesday
29 runs off 64 balls today

[Amjid Javed]

Ball starting to keep low. Can sri lanka get a 120-30 lead?

S.L 143/4 (11 behind).

[Amjid Javed]

sri lanka 8 runs behind now, collingwood onto bowl

almost gets a wkt 1st ball

[Amjid Javed]

Dilshan cuts panesar for 4. sri lanka 2 runs behind.

[Amjid Javed]

14 overs left in the days play.

S.L 154/4 (scores level)

Crucial last hour now

[Hash]

If SL can get through the day without losing any wickets.......they could be in a very reasonable position.

How many overs to go now?

[Amjid Javed]

If SL can get through the day without losing any wickets.......they could be in a very reasonable position.

How many overs to go now?

13 including one been bowled by flintoff now.

[Amjid Javed]

Lead is 3 runs.

[Amjid Javed]

50 for dilshan, well played, I have to say am more and more impressed each time i see this lad play.

[Hash]

A lead of 180 will not be easy for England to chase down.....a couple of early wickets and 180 seems like 380. Keep going Sri Lanka!

50 for Dilshan from 86 balls. Well played.

[Amjid Javed]

shout for lbw v dilshan.

not given, umpires have been superb all game. given not out.

[Amjid Javed]

Both batsmen here will need to get tons if sri lanka want any chances of remotely winning match.

dilshan flicks ball past 1st slip for 4.

lead is 9.

[Amjid Javed]

session 23.5 overs - 78 runs 0 wkts

[Amjid Javed]

S.L lead by 10 runs, 10 overs left.

[Hash]

168 for 4 (14 ahead)

Vandort not out 67 (214 balls :14: )
Dilshan not out 57 (100 balls)

9 overs left in the day. Come on Sri Lanka......not long left.

[Amjid Javed]

171 for 4 (17 ahead)

8 overs left...

[Amjid Javed]

hoggard back on now.

england will get new ball early tmoz and that will be as crucial as the last 8 overs tonite.

sri lanka need to stick at it.

[Hash]

Sri Lankan batsman should be doing their utmost to damage the pitch and rough it up a bit for Murali.

[Amjid Javed]

Sri Lankan batsman should be doing their utmost to damage the pitch and rough it up a bit for Murali.

:D

[Hash]

without the umpires/cameras noticing ofcoarse (read AFRIDI)

[Easa]

Well done to the Lankans.

Another good fightback, two matches in a row.

[Amjid Javed]

Good contest between dilshan and panesar today. has been good to watch.

[Amjid Javed]

hoggy bowling well to vandort!

has had him fishing and playing and missing quite abit.

[Hash]

181 for 4 (27 ahead)

Vandort not out 76
Dilshan not out 59

5 overs to go today.......hang in there. Not long to go!

[Amjid Javed]

dilshan gone, ugly looking slog across line!

poor shot!

aleem dar gives it out.

[Amjid Javed]

Aleem dar shud be man of match for his superb umpiring!

[Hash]

Important wicket that for England.

Shame because things were going so well for Sri Lanka. Dilshan should be given a phainty by Moody and co when he goes back in. With three and a half overs to go there is NO EXCUSE for playing cross batted slogs.

181 for 5.....Maharoof comes in to bat. Sri Lanka had a chance here to upset England but that wicket has just swung it back firmly into England's hands. England are going to have to try very hard to not win this now. 27 ahead with 5 wickets in hand.........Sri Lanka need another 150 at least.

[Amjid Javed]

mahroof, vass and kulasekera can all bat! they need to give vandort some support.

[Amjid Javed]

After close lbw shout ball before dilshan should have got his head right.

i agree hash phanti!

[Easa]

Oh no!

Dilshan gone, DAMN.

[Amjid Javed]

Lovely shot down ground for 4 by vandort.

[Amjid Javed]

Oh no!

Dilshan gone, DAMN.

:14: wow your about 10 mins late!

[Shayan]

Panesar is an excellent bowler.

[Amjid Javed]

4 more down ground by vandort.

next ball 3 thru the covers.

lead is 39!

[Hash]

:14: wow your about 10 mins late!


:))

[Hash]

Last over of the day coming up.

Sri Lanka 193 for 5 (39 ahead)

Vandort not out 88
Maharoof not out 0

[Amjid Javed]

Last over of the day.

[Amjid Javed]

single for vandort.

4 balls to go... lead is 40.

[Amjid Javed]

Sri lanka 194/5 - end of day 3.

well played micheal vandort. Excellent inns.

[Easa]

:14: wow your about 10 mins late!

Dude, I'm not following the match.

I just read your post. :26:

[Hash]

Good fightback by Sri Lanka today.

Shame Dilshan had to fall towards the end but such is life.

Lead of 40 with 5 wickets in hand. If the tail wags and if Vandort loiters around for a while longer........perhaps we still have a chance here.

[Amjid Javed]

New ball is due after 6 overs tmoz. Sri lanka need to keep fighting and have to bat atleast till tea to have a chance of maybe winning game.

[Amjid Javed]

Good fightback by Sri Lanka today.

Shame Dilshan had to fall towards the end but such is life.

Lead of 40 with 5 wickets in hand. If the tail wags and if Vandort loiters around for a while longer........perhaps we still have a chance here.

i didnt know u were sri lankan :P ;-)

[Easa]

Well played Vandort, restrained and controlled innings, good stuff.

[Hash]

Well played Vandort, restrained and controlled innings, good stuff.

Wouldn't go that far.

As Amjid said earlier it is good that he is still in but I feel that to use 246 balls and only score 89 runs is going too far. Making Wasti look like a pinch hitter is not something to be proud of.

He should have been well into his 100 by now.

[Hash]

i didnt know u were sri lankan :P ;-)

I am a Sri Lankan while they play against England :D

Just as I was a West Indian yesterday :D

[Amjid Javed]

I am a Sri Lankan while they play against England :D

Just as I was a West Indian yesterday :D

:P same here!

[Amjid Javed]

Wouldn't go that far.

As Amjid said earlier it is good that he is still in but I feel that to use 246 balls and only score 89 runs is going too far. Making Wasti look like a pinch hitter is not something to be proud of.

He should have been well into his 100 by now.

:20: the guys team is trying to save and then maybe win a test match. To many fans have this big facination with crash bang wallop openers and players scoring fast.

If any pakistan opener can play such an inns in england il be happy, secondly id be happy if they lasted that many balls.

Yes at start he was slow but end of day hes still there, show a lil appreication.

[kablooee87]

Wouldn't go that far.

As Amjid said earlier it is good that he is still in but I feel that to use 246 balls and only score 89 runs is going too far. Making Wasti look like a pinch hitter is not something to be proud of.

He should have been well into his 100 by now.


Sri Lanka are trying to save a test match here....With 4 down in the second innings on the 3rd day this is EXACTLY what is needed.

[Hash]

I was not looking for a crash, bang and wallop. No. Not at all.

But with so much time left Sri Lanka have a better chance of winning this game than drawing it.

Ofcoarse they need to keep wickets in hand. All I am saying is a strike rate of just 36 is taking the p*ss a bit.....bordering on selfishness.

[Hash]

If you were watching yesterday you would have seen that there were plenty of easy singles that he turned down.

[Rob H]

I'm weary of Murali on this pitch. Anything above 150 will be tricky. Key person tomorrow i think is Vaas' batting. He is so crucial because he sticks around and puts runs on the board. We need him early.

[pakistani pride]

hmmm but with new ball due eng will bowl m out soon !

[Amjid Javed]

Vandort, mahroof, vass and kulsekera between them need to get sri lanka another 110 runs alteast tmoz.

[Hash]

While I would like to believe 150 will be a testing total, the more I think about it the more I think it wont be.

SL need to try and hang in there until tea. If they can hang in until tea and get 180 odd runs.........a lead of 220 (if they get to 200...they will have a fighting chance). THAT is more like it.

For that to happen Vandort is going to have to bat the entire innings and Maharoof, Vaas and Kula saab will have to support him seriously. Unlikely.......but they showed they had the bottle and fight in the 1st Test; now is the time to show that it was not just a fluke.

[cavin420]

just imagine if srilanka manage to win this test and with that the series :91:

[Hash]

just imagine if srilanka manage to win this test and with that the series :91:

:))) :)))

I know. It would be hilarious.

COME ON SRI LANKA!

[MIG]

From BBC....

LATEST UPDATES (All times BST)

0935: "Somehow we haven't quite rediscovered that ruthless streak that we had last year when everyone was up for the event and seemed much more lively. England are a better team than Sri Lanka but bowled pretty poorly yesterday. They were short, they were wide, they were down leg-side."
Geoffrey Boycott, on Radio Five Live

0835: Rain is not forecast on Sunday, so a finish on the fourth day is likely, particularly as time lost on Saturday can be made up late in the day.

[Big Mac]

Debating whether I can be bothered to go along to today's play. If Dilshan hadn't been dismissed late yesterday I'd definitely go but there's the risk that Sri Lanka will be blown away by the new ball this morning and it'll be over far too quickly

[Amjid Javed]

day 4 just about to start...

[Amjid Javed]

Flintoff starts bowling to vandort.

[Amjid Javed]

3 for vandort down the ground.

lead 43.

[Amjid Javed]

monty onto bowl

new ball due in 5 overs...

[Amjid Javed]

Vandort gets 2 thru a neat push thru the covers.

200 up for sri lanka.

[Amjid Javed]

New ball about to be taken.

[Amjid Javed]

Hoggy back onto bowl, plunkett warming up also.

[Amjid Javed]

1st ball swings back into vandorts pads. has to be careful here!

[Amjid Javed]

2nd ball swings back in height is a problem thou.

[Amjid Javed]

Sri Lanka 201/5 - Sri Lanka lead by 47 runs

[Amjid Javed]

Huge lbw shout, not given as it was to high.

[Amjid Javed]

What a 1st over by hoggard, had vandort all @ sea.

[Amjid Javed]

Mahroof off the mark with 2.

lead is 49 now.

[Amjid Javed]

lead is now 50.

[Amjid Javed]

Sri lanka 204/5

watchful start from sri lanka here.

[Hash]

Sri Lanka need to see off the new ball.

Now is the time for Vandort to play like he was playing before. See off this new ball without losing a wicket and Sri Lanka have a decent chance.

[Amjid Javed]

2 for mahroof as monty misfields.

[Amjid Javed]

Mahroof playing very straight which is gr8 to see.

[Amjid Javed]

lovely leg glance for 4 by mahroof.

[Amjid Javed]

lovely cover drive for 4 by mahroof.

hes a very decent batsmen.

single for him now.

lead is 61.

[Hash]

Sri Lanka need another 120 (minimum) runs.......keep going

[Amjid Javed]

straight drive by vandort hits stumps at other end unlucky!

[Amjid Javed]

Sri Lanka need another 120 (minimum) runs.......keep going

160-70 lead and il back sri lanka to win this test.

single for vandort and hes on 96*

[Amjid Javed]

S.L 218/5 (Lead 64).

[Amjid Javed]

Maharoof gone caught and bowled. very good bouncer from flintoff.

good move from england skipper.

[Shayan]

i'm sure Vaas will stick around for a while

[Shayan]

vandort on 99

[Hash]

i'm sure Vaas will stick around for a while

He better.

Otherwise :12: :16: :133:

[Amjid Javed]

100 for vandort!

very welll played. just what his team needed!

:14: :14:

[Shayan]

very good innings

[Amjid Javed]

S.L 223/6 (lead 69)

[Hash]

Congratulations Vandort!

100 runs from 294 balls with 8 fours!

:14: :14: :14:

Sri Lanka now 222 for 6 (68 ahead).

They need to somehow muster another 120 runs.