Series win in Sri Lanka

[Gilders]

All credit to the team, the captain and the national selector (and respective back-ups).

Call it luck or call it judgment but England seem to have finally picked their top 3 spinners and their top wk.  And to have let the spinners do most of the bowling in spinning conditions.

On previous tours to Asia we have tended to play either 1 or 2 spinners, sometimes including a part-timer playing for his batting, and it hasn't worked.  And to have still tried to rely too much on Anderson and Broad in unhelpful conditions.

The Foakes selection seems to have been on the back of injury to Bairstow and sore hands of Buttler but he has proved an outstanding wk and topped the batting as well.  Will be very hard to shift for a while unless he comes unstuck against seam-heavy attacks.  I can hardly remember the last time the top wk was picked by England they have gone for batsmen who can keep far too long in my view.

[Bath Hammer]

I do hope they stick with him. I think they will but they seem ever so keen to please Bairstow.

[Valentines Park]

Bairstow is good enough to play as a batsman so I don't see what the issue is other than pride.

[Andy]

I will say that the mgt have had the guts to go in with 3 spinners.  However, the Foakes selection appears to have been a lucky (or unlucky for Bairstow) break.  I'm not sure whether Rashid is good enough, but if he and Ali good embed themselves in the batting order that would be very useful.

Leach has shown himself to be a better spinner in the same way that Foakes has shown what the other two lack with the gloves. I hope Foakes and Leach can get  run in the England team - even if only in red ball. It gives England options, it also ensures there's competition for places/ injury cover plus Somerset and Slurrey lose at least one good player.

[IlfordEagle]

Very good for Foakes & also well deserved, I'd give a penny for Fossie's thoughts now given how few Tests he played. Bairstow needs to realise he is a quality batsman who is easily good enough as a specialist batsman anyway & a decent fielder as well, he will still be a useful back up if Foales or Buttler cannot keep.

[nat]

Sorry to burst your collective balloons but SL were pants. Leach is a decent bowler...no more than that. The other two...Rashid and Ali are poor. However it was good to see turning wickets...we need to see more of them...in domestic cricket too.

[Andy]

Sorry to burst your collective balloons but SL were pants. Leach is a decent bowler...no more than that. The other two...Rashid and Ali are poor. However it was good to see turning wickets...we need to see more of them...in domestic cricket too.

Problem is, how many test spinners are more than decent - unless they have a dodgy delivery up their sleeve? As for the turning wickets in CC, it'll never happen at Chelmsford. Remember what happened last time we produced dusty tracks for our number one spinner???

[Oldhasbeen]

I don't think too many people are getting too carried away with the Sri Lanka wins, but they're certainly progress, especially when you think about us struggling to get a draw in Bangladesh 2 years ago,  and the dismal showings against less-than-great Aussie & NZ sides.

On the field, there have been many positives: a couple of great centuries; the fielding in the 2nd test was outstanding; Leach & Burns should get some confidence from their displays so far; Root showing maturity as captain.....

I'm encouraged by the "horses for courses" selection of 3 spinners and the fact that neither Bairstow or Broad were automatically selected when fit seems to indicate the selectors  no longer have so many sacred cows. (3rd Test: might be time to give Jimmy a rest?)

As for how much closer we are to a team to beat the Aussies.... a bit, I'd say, but still big questions over the top 3, especially against the Aussie's excellent seam attack. And much as we all love a leggie, I doubt if Rash will be in the team much against the Aussies, a lot of pies in amongst the pearls.



 

[nat]

The acid test of a good team is can they beat the Aussies in Oz? Think we are still some way off that.

[Andy]

The acid test of a good team is can they beat the Aussies in Oz? Think we are still some way off that.

Usually.  However, unless they can get those two out of 'purgatory' I think ECCC could get a result against these Aussies.

[Perov]

Acid test?
More like the sandpaper test.

[Oldhasbeen]

Acid test?
More like the sandpaper test.

[IlfordEagle]

The acid test of a good team is can they beat the Aussies in Oz? Think we are still some way off that.

Usually.  However, unless they can get those two out of 'purgatory' I think ECCC could get a result against these Aussies.

Not with our current top order based on 2018 form, with Ally next year maybe.

[nat]

The acid test of a good team is can they beat the Aussies in Oz? Think we are still some way off that.

Usually.  However, unless they can get those two out of 'purgatory' I think ECCC could get a result against these Aussies.

Not with our current top order based on 2018 form, with Ally next year maybe.

Not a chance if the first choice Aussie bowling line up is fit. Anyone fancy facing Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Pattinson...even Siddle?

[Andy]

Not a chance if the first choice Aussie bowling line up is fit. Anyone fancy facing Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Pattinson...even Siddle?

If they are fit...might be the Ashes are decided by which side avoids too many collapses.