17.5.06

Cricket: SL vs England, First Test.

The conservative English.
I think for once even in the hindsight a score of in excess of 500 wont yield result. I know the Lankans struggle abroad, it would have been a good match had England declared between 450 and 500. It has to be a flat track for the English to bat and score 550. The smashers like Trescothick and Pitersen hammered century while cook looked good for a century but missed out. Murlaitharan failed to pick up wickets and Lankans struggle. As Murali stuglled he castled Collingwood with a stinging off spinner and he was beaten for lack of bounce and spin.

The meek Lankan reply.
The follow up to an average bowling performance was a disaster to say the least there were four noughts in the Lankan line up and the English bowlers were on song. Jayawardene whose the captain played well for a 65. He looks good to score every-time. I think there is a great deal of similarity between him and Ramnaresh Sarwan of West Indies both a smooth silken, touch players with lot of grace and style. They both are good off-drivers and both need to deliver more often

The Lankans follow on.
The track was such a flat one that batting would have been a bit simpler the second time round. The Lankans score with all most everybody contributing with the bat. They amassed a total of 539 and kept the English away from even a sniff of a chance. Sangakara looked good and will score atleast one century. As I said Tim Moody the Lankan coach’s prayers were answered as rains too helped the Lankan cause of drawing the match. Jayawardene followed his uncomplished effort with a gritty 100. He was almost run out as he rushed to complete his century. He reached there though and deservedly got man of the match.

India and West Indies.
The West Indians are on a decline from a decade and yet India is not able to beat them in a test series. The West Indians have a couple of bowlers clocking up 140 kmph. Indians are favourites to win the One Day series. That’s what they did last time too. I am a bit apprehensive of Indian fragility against pace bowling and dodginess of Chanderpaul, the talent of Sarwan and off course there is a certain Lara to catch up with. They have a tail which wags. I am really looking forward to the Test to start.

3 comments:

PuNeEt said...

good to see the srilankan fighting back nicely :-)
they took the match away... good :-)

India are no doubt the fav to win the one-dayers... i doubt they will surprise ne1 this time by not winning... and yes test matches r a different ball game altogether...
lets hope they end up winning that also :-)

today is the first encounter
yeppyyy

Tarun said...

@ Sesh:Yes "catch win matches". India are favourites to win.
@ Puneet: Me gearing up only for test matches

Neha said...

the dream run unfortunately comes to an end.. did u see the second match?