First Test: Sri Lanka v England in Galle, 6/11/18.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Foakes making a play for the ODI side...

450 lead, job done.

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Putting 400 score is important as it give this new look batting unit confidence that they can score in Asia 400 at least without Cook and Joe tons or double. Should look to bat till 400 at least.

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Declared.

461 to win.

[sussexpob]

Id have bat out the personally, but thats just me. 450 should be well enough in two days and a bit

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Id have bat out the personally, but thats just me. 450 should be well enough in two days and a bit

England are massive favorites even with 462 to defend. But i feel they should have batted for one hour tomorrow as well. Just to have a big score in Asia behind them to help them mentally when they have to put up big totals or chase big total. If they post 400 in an innings then SL in remaining tests might be worried to declare below that score later in this series if they get in such declaration position. So it also helps in that aspect.

In spite of rain interruption being mentioned on some articles like cricinfo, it has stayed away. Not even one over lost in almost 3 days so far.

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4 slips and gully.

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This England innings also shows how below par both teams batted in the first innings.

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Good ball by Rashid. Trying to pitch on footmarks and turn it big with so much of wrist action.

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4 for Dimuth. Well on top of the short ball by Moeen. Cut well with control for 4.

[sussexpob]

Id have bat out the personally, but thats just me. 450 should be well enough in two days and a bit

England are massive favorites even with 462 to defend. But i feel they should have batted for one hour tomorrow as well. Just to have a big score in Asia behind them to help them mentally when they have to put up big totals or chase big total. If they post 400 in an innings then SL in remaining tests might be worried to declare below that score later in this series if they get in such declaration position. So it also helps in that aspect. In spite of rain interruption being mentioned on some articles like cricinfo, it has stayed away. Not even one over lost in almost 3 days so far.

I might be wrong, but didnt Pakistan knock off about 400 for only 2-3 of wickets down fairly recently in a test in SL? Might have been SCC not Galle, but would have happened in the last few years. The old 4th innings records dont feel right in the modern day, because matches seem to progress much quicker. The pitch here is basically not much past the half way point, so it fells more of a normal 3rd innings scenario, and hence I would have added 50 runs on, and taken some overs away. SL can get to this target while also batting defensively to save the game, take another 20-30 overs, and at least you are saying if they bat brilliantly, they will also have to bat a bit more aggresively to win.

Although, yeah.... its a mute point because with 2 clear days, it should 97% 1-0 England.

[sussexpob]

Good ball by Rashid. Trying to pitch on footmarks and turn it big with so much of wrist action.

SL might do better to attack Rashid. He is one of those bowlers you have to put the bad balls away to, because now and then he's going to bowl you a brute of a ball you arent going to get near, and you need to have cashed in on the tripe in between...... Reminds me of a MacGill type, aggressive in the way he wants to bowl, but that means he often pitches bad lengths. You dont want him to be able to bowl how he wants, you have to put that doubt into his mind and punish the bad ball.

If you let Rashid into the game by just hanging back and blocking, they will play into his hands.

[sussexpob]

Sri Lanka survive round one....

[meninblue]

Id have bat out the personally, but thats just me. 450 should be well enough in two days and a bit

England are massive favorites even with 462 to defend. But i feel they should have batted for one hour tomorrow as well. Just to have a big score in Asia behind them to help them mentally when they have to put up big totals or chase big total. If they post 400 in an innings then SL in remaining tests might be worried to declare below that score later in this series if they get in such declaration position. So it also helps in that aspect. In spite of rain interruption being mentioned on some articles like cricinfo, it has stayed away. Not even one over lost in almost 3 days so far.

I might be wrong, but didnt Pakistan knock off about 400 for only 2-3 of wickets down fairly recently in a test in SL? Might have been SCC not Galle, but would have happened in the last few years. The old 4th innings records dont feel right in the modern day, because matches seem to progress much quicker. The pitch here is basically not much past the half way point, so it fells more of a normal 3rd innings scenario, and hence I would have added 50 runs on, and taken some overs away. SL can get to this target while also batting defensively to save the game, take another 20-30 overs, and at least you are saying if they bat brilliantly, they will also have to bat a bit more aggresively to win.

Although, yeah.... its a mute point because with 2 clear days, it should 97% 1-0 England.

I think you are referring to Misbah special innings chase. There are very rare chases like that. Morevover this is SL without Mahela and Sanga the double ton scorers. Angelo has fitness issues with lack of big runs. Chandimal is a good batsman but not a big test match player like double scorer type. He is their best and he rested a lot even today. Did he even turn out to field today. Also, the pressure of 466 will make best crumble and England have three spinners, two of whom have bowled better than SL spinners. So even considering that his pitch is nothing compared to typical Asian 3 day pitch and Atherton too has realized and repeating it in comm box since today morning that this is the best of Galle wicket. There is nothing to worry for England imo. Should have used the big score for psychological effects for self and opponents.

[sussexpob]

https://www.google.com/search?source=hp ... 23;dt;fp;1

2015, Pallekele....

Khan ...150* , Misbah 59*.... chased just under 400 for 3 down.

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Top 5 innings by balls played till stumps Day 3:


Keaton - 280 balls
Ben Foakes - 202 balls
Angelo - 125 balls
Sam - 104 balls
Jos - 72 balls