Rootin' for Joe etc...

[Ducks Deluxe]

Well,all's well that ends well....I wasn't feeling nearly as bullish as the media was....It's not over until it's over...Great game for Leach and Mo....

Good luck on your trip back to Thailand,Ooozzzie... I'll catch up with you soon...

DD...

[liquidfootball2]

Sri Lanka may have out 'Englanded' England in a good way in their first innings when converting 165-6 to 336 all out, but they've ended this enthralling test match by copying one of their very worst traits and a quite horrendous collapse, a position of some strength at 221-5 with the revitalised Angelo Mathews leading the charge has subsided quite alarmingly, being all out for the addition of only 22 runs, 22-5 in effect.

Only three sides since the first World War had chased down such a target of 75 with only three wickets remaining, the bookmakers had perhaps recognised this and were giving a best price of 1/5 for an England win and i must admit to being quietly confident too, although confident of anything in such a topsy-turvy match had so far proved to be a perilous position.

This morning Root once again kept faith with his spin attack, opting for Jack Leach and Moeen Ali, his two most accurate spinners, and let scoreboard pressure do the rest. With no early fireworks from Dickwella and only singles being added, England were able to gradually apply the scoreboard pressure and tighten the noose. The eighth-wicket pair picked up the singles on offer, but no nerve-jangling boundaries. They added 14 more runs - before England struck, Moeen removed the dangerous Dickwella and Lakmal in the same over leaving Jack Leach to complete the honours and seal a famous series victory.

England have now achieved their first series overseas victory since way back in 2016 and their last tour of South Africa. As is unfortunately the ludicrous practice in test cricket these days, they haven't received any winners trophy but may now do so against a back drop of disappointment and failure after the final and now futile dead rubber.

[liquidfootball2]

This series has seen three big English centuries on spinning wickets as they have implemented a pre-meditated positive batting plan, sweeping all before them.

For Sri Lanka Angelo Mathews got close but couldn't quite emulate Keaton Jennings, Ben Foakes and a truly exceptional knock from the man of the match here Joe Root, and that has been the difference. When you add to that the keeping of Ben Foakes and the sharp, quick and agile fielding from the whole team unit led by Ben Stokes but with memorable contributions from Keaton Jennings too, then it's been a tough act to match.

[liquidfootball2]

Summarising this final match and the series so far...

It was a good match for the neutral but the wicket of Mathews was key in the end. He is such a calming influence on their team, whereas Dickwella, who was left to finish it off, is more skittish.

Sri Lanka raised their game in this test, but I can't help but wonder if Herath would've made a difference. Their spinners lacked control which he so often provided. His replacement, Pushpakumara (sp) just didn't look like a spinner who was quite up to test cricket.

Another potentially decisive blow was the captaincy being changed due to injury. I'm unsure if Chandimal would've let Curran (1st innings) and Foakes (2nd innings) milk singles off 5th or 6th balls when batting with number 11. In such a tight game the runs added when Anderson was in were absolutely critical.

Still, we've seen in test cricket in general it's so hard to win away from home so it's a feather in the cap for Root and a monkey off the back given our dreadful form away from England. What is also pleasing is it wasn't our seamers who won us this series with swing (as so often happens at home). The spinners, who have been maligned in the past, stepped up.

I won't say they were flawless because there were times, in this game in particular, that they probably got a little carried away with the turn on offer but when they had to, one of them made something happen.

With the bat, Foakes has been a revelation, Burns has looked good on his first tour, Jennings and Root made a good hundreds and in Buttler, Curran, Stokes, Ali and even Rashid there's fluent players who can all make good contributions.

Even though we have had spells where we've lost them in a cluster, we haven't done the traditional England number of getting skittled.

While I get that there may be changes (Curran injured etc) I hope Colombo isn't treated like the last ODI, when we lost because every Tom, Dick and Harry on tour got a game although I fear it's all too likely. It'd be nice to complete a whitewash to end 2018.

Sri Lanka especially seemed to be really up for the last one that just didn't matter, but will England be that flat again?

[ooozzzie]

Cheers DD and well summed up Liquid cant add much to that. The Sri Lankans are very critical about their team, too much I think, but they arent happy losing for the 1st time in so long at home to England.

I would almost bet on Jimmy and Sam rested and Broad and Stone come in. Cant see them messing with the batting. But I think those changes are fair well I would PMSL....... Found a new bar..... In my hotel......

[liquidfootball2]

From listening to Trevor Bayliss I get the impression that Jonny Bairstow looks the likely replacement for Sam Curran.

There is a real possibility that England may opt to go without any specialist seamers at all if they decide to give Jimmy a break with Ben Stokes being the sole remaining seam option, this apparently is being seriously considered or at least having one maximum.

I personally think Stone who offers far more pace and something different might get a shot instead of Jimmy (or Broad), who like Broad if he played, would have to repeat a rather thankless task once again. There's just nothing in the pitch for any seamer and the kookaburra ball just goes soft so quickly, it offers zilch for the seamer after the first two or three overs.

Mahela Jayawardene thinks his home ground the SSC in Colombo will serve up something very similar so any increase in the number of seamers would look auspiciously like giving Tom, Dick and Harry a go because they've been so patient and such good tourists and not treating the game seriously at all.

[forestfan]

So who replaces Jimmy then, another batsman? I wonder who would be the part-timer to share the new ball with Stokes for a couple of overs to take the shine off it... Jennings perhaps, he bowls occasional medium pace. We’ve seen a number 10 open the batting, now for an opening batsman to open the bowling?

If we pick Denly then we could go in with five spin options! Four England slow bowlers took wickets in one innings last week, which must be a modern era record at least.

[liquidfootball2]

So who replaces Jimmy then, another batsman? I wonder who would be the part-timer to share the new ball with Stokes for a couple of overs to take the shine off it... Jennings perhaps, he bowls occasional medium pace. We’ve seen a number 10 open the batting, now for an opening batsman to open the bowling?

If we pick Denly then we could go in with five spin options! Four England slow bowlers took wickets in one innings last week, which must be a modern era record at least.

No they would probably open with spin at both ends, although perhaps but by no means certain a couple for Stokes.

I really think Denly's race is run for this series tbh, he made an unforgettably poor impression in the warm-ups, indeed it was so poor England felt obliged to alter all their plans at the last minute and excluded him, even taking the unwanted option of Ali at three, one Ali wasn't even keen on.

My personal choice would be to play Stone as offering something a bit different to a normal seamer on what is apparently very likely to be another turner and a thankless task for Anderson or Broad.

Another option is to see if Curran is fit enough to just play as a specialist batsman, even as a number eight, it may sound outlandish but could be worth considering.

[liquidfootball2]

Cricket Australia decide to UPHOLD the existing ban, no early return

'Smith, Bancroft and Warner bans stand'

http://www.skysports.com/share/11558510

[forestfan]

Cricket Australia decide to UPHOLD the existing ban, no early return

'Smith, Bancroft and Warner bans stand'

http://www.skysports.com/share/11558510

Can we just extend it for the Ashes and World Cup, due to frivolous appeal?

[ooozzzie]

Broad for Anderson confirned for 3rd Test

Jimmy was never a threat, so a good move. Broad mighr be more of a danger, that is a big might, but it all makes sense.

Team Burns Jennings Ali Root Stokes Buttler Foakes Curran Rashid Leach Broad

I am begiining to really like the selectors, ok Ali at 3 isnt great, but we have enough batting strength and if Ali does get in then he will score fast. Good team.

[liquidfootball2]

I would think Broad will bat number ten but yes Broad for Anderson reported everywhere this morning.

Cricinfo this morning report Curran's side strain means he is unlikely to play with Bairstow the likely replacement. There are other options though in Woakes as a like for like or Stone. While there is nothing in the pitch for seamers Stone's pace through the air could cause problems, having picked Broad and with Stokes as a second option on a likely unforgiving wicket for seamers, a specialist batsman would perhaps be far more sensible. Woakes is not out of the question as he is a like for like and can bat too but surely the bowling would hardly be used.

I haven't heard anything as yet on batting order, Ali at three is possibly a walking wicket but there are no really sound options, but Bairstow i would have thought far more likely if he was to play.

Ooozzzie may have heard far more reliable reports than me of course. Cricinfo and others are all using Anderson's quote about rotation and the selectors wanting to give Broad match practice before the West Indies. Although with the Carribean leg some while off and after Christmas it must be questionable what benefit such match practice brings.

Solely on George Dobell's cricinfo report and various reliable newspaper correspondents I would say they're indicating

Burns, Jennings, Bairstow, Root, Stokes, Buttler, Ali, Foakes, Rashid, Broad, Leach

(A possibility of Woakes or Stone for Curran rather than Bairstow, which may mean Ali at three, although with the likely turner i suspect not)

We won't be too far away whichever way they go.

Broad to take Anderson's place in Colombo Test https://es.pn/2A72ipa
via ESPNCricinfo app http://es.pn/ciapp

[liquidfootball2]

Sky sports reporting Bairstow will bat at 3

'Bairstow, Broad in for third Test'

http://www.skysports.com/share/11559244

Personally i think Broad far more likely to bat at ten, he's a far better batsman than Leach will ever be imo and has scored a test century, his batting has gone backwards but still had the odd decent contribution in the India series.

[baganboy]

India's in Australia, and has lost the T20 game.

I am pretty okay about it. We won the T20 in England, and suffered as a result. The Kuldeep myth took over, and we suffered as a result.

I think we will win this series, and Shastri will be retained. And it will be sad.
PS: India has never won a test series in Australia. Sad.

[liquidfootball2]

India's in Australia, and has lost the T20 game.

I am pretty okay about it. We won the T20 in England, and suffered as a result. The Kuldeep myth took over, and we suffered as a result.

I think we will win this series, and Shastri will be retained. And it will be sad.
PS: India has never won a test series in Australia. Sad.

Yes, they'll never have a better chance that's for sure.

Australia's record in test matches has been absolutely abysmal since sandpapergate, and now with these sentences for Smith, Warner and Bancroft being upheld, they are more than likely to continue such poor form.

To be honest though I haven't really looked behind the statistics and just how exactly they are broken down, and just how many have been played at home and away? I do remember a tough tour of the UAE and the Abu Dhabi tests being very difficult, but then it usually is for most visiting non Asian teams.

The immediate shock to both their consciences and seemingly their whole cricketing infrastructure was worse than any earthquake figuratively speaking. So having to wash their dirty linen in front of all those cameras and the worldwide public was bound to result in more than a few mea culpa's and the subsequent negative response from the shell shocked troops left behind.

Cricket seems to be such an essential part of the whole Aussie psyche that when it all goes wrong it's front page news, this must seem like a national tragedy. I know from other forums I occasionally frequent, that the Aussie sporting public have largely ignored cricket recently, they absolutely detest losers and this cricket team was not getting many column inches. The disciplinary bans would have put the sport briefly back in the news with the possibility of them being lifted, but not the cricket team.

Since they've actually won a game, even if only a T20 (although I think this isn't a one off T20 but one of three?) they may once again get a small mention. There just seems to be a general air of disgruntlement with the whole sport, almost as if it's been put on pause while they wait for the bans to be lifted, the preparations for the ashes to begin and a time when they can start competing properly again.

Aussie rules, Rugby (both codes, but especially League) are their new favourites dependent on the time of year.

[forestfan]

Well, the Wobblies are pretty shite at the moment as well (watch them beat England at the weekend now I’ve said that...)

Nobody’s going to beat them at Aussie Rules I guess, the way to make sure you’re world champions is to invent your own sports (and not export them to the whole world the way we did!)

[ooozzzie]

Well yes if Curran doesnt play and I think that is quite likely then perhaps Bairstow, but that is a bit of a strange swap? Probably still good enough to win but losing a bowler for a batsman in the heat doesnt add up to me. The temperature in Columbo is hotter than other two so I cant see them dropping (replacing a injured bowler) for a bowler for a non bowler. I stick to Stone. However Woakes is a great option as well. I tell you what though what great options we have, now we have some decent selectors. Interesting thought my team was the official team. But was surprised to see Curran TBF.... Here in Thailand it is hot.... Sod all to do with the Cricket sorry.

[liquidfootball2]

Well yes if Curran doesnt play and I think that is quite likely then perhaps Bairstow, but that is a bit of a strange swap? Probably still good enough to win but losing a bowler for a batsman in the heat doesnt add up to me. The temperature in Columbo is hotter than other two so I cant see them dropping (replacing a injured bowler) for a bowler for a non bowler. I stick to Stone. However Woakes is a great option as well. I tell you what though what great options we have, now we have some decent selectors. Interesting thought my team was the official team. But was surprised to see Curran TBF.... Here in Thailand it is hot.... Sod all to do with the Cricket sorry.

No Ooozzzie this is the confirmed team, the team will be as I posted, two changes...

Bairstow and Broad for Curran and Anderson

I fully agree with it tbh, although I would possibly have gone for the extra pace of Stone instead of Broad, but the balance with Bairstow a batter playing for what was in effect another batsman in Curran, this despite it not being his first suit or skill, he hardly bowled, looks right.

There is no place for a second specialist seamer on these wickets, and Stokes down at five makes him available for more overs if needed and even that must be doubtful, even the need for one specialist seamer is arguable but possibly sensible, Anderson himself has said he felt like a spare part in the last two tests, they have it about right for me.

It must be almost entirely an attack based on spin for what looks like being another turner.

Enjoy the heat of Thailand Ooozzzie, it's not too many degrees above zero here and not above single figures all day apparently.

[baganboy]

The immediate shock to both their consciences and seemingly their whole cricketing infrastructure was worse than any earthquake figuratively speaking. So having to wash their dirty linen in front of all those cameras and the worldwide public was bound to result in more than a few mea culpa's and the subsequent negative response from the shell shocked troops left behind.

Cricket seems to be such an essential part of the whole Aussie psyche that when it all goes wrong it's front page news, this must seem like a national tragedy. I know from other forums I occasionally frequent, that the Aussie sporting public have largely ignored cricket recently, they absolutely detest losers and this cricket team was not getting many column inches. The disciplinary bans would have put the sport briefly back in the news with the possibility of them being lifted, but not the cricket team.

I vividly remember when a similar (and a lot worse) thing struck Indian cricket. Just about the turn of the millennium - the betting scandal.
The cut runs deep - it still does. Azhar was my favourite cricketer full stop - it felt like I was cheated in love. Jadeja, Prabhakar were also rather loved figures around here.
We thought we had lost cricket altogether.

That's probably the reason why the big 4, Sachin, Dravid, Sourav and Laxman (and Kumble of course) are so revered in these parts. They, by sheer dint of personal goodwill, pulled the game by the bootstraps from rock bottom to the pride of places again.
I dislike that the same value system that the big 4 and Kumble brought to the table has kinda been eroded, and we have this urge to become Steve Waugh's Australia mark 2. Not too happy with it.

[forestfan]

Still, the Aussie public didn’t mind their team being in your face, hard sledging dickheads... but when they switched to sneaky underhand cheating, they were outraged.

[liquidfootball2]

Still, the Aussie public didn’t mind their team being in your face, hard sledging dickheads... but when they switched to sneaky underhand cheating, they were outraged.

They were outraged at their own administrators, management and players, especially those caught red handed, but possibly more so in that they had allowed such a culture to develop and fester and such a tolerance of it to become the norm and be accepted.

The sledging and general boorish behaviour is very much part of that culture which has been brought under the full glare and spotlight of their own media. It would be naive to think their reporters were particularly unaware of it or their history and of it not being an integral part of their game since time immemorial, but the general public's outrage knew no bounds and everyone, even those not interested in the game were shocked.

[ooozzzie]

Joe wins his Eighth toss in a row - remarkable - and Bairstow in at 3 I think they have been rewarded for their attitude, they were dashing around in the last two tests keeping fit and Bairstow in particular looked very focused and he is fast, easily winning the 30 yard dashes. And we all know that slot 3 is wide open, and could be done if he is not keeping wicket. Just another option in this flexible team we have right now.

[hancockjr]

Seems like picking batsmen is a good way of scoring runs. Who knew?

[liquidfootball2]

Joe is an extremely rich man and there's no need to win the lottery every week too so he generously leaves that for others to win.

Eight on the spin, can we now say Joe is a 'helluva a tusser'

replace the 'u' they've inserted with an 'o' to see the joke

[liquidfootball2]

Oh dear that wasn't part of the script, Joe's top edged a slog sweep and caught at mid wicket for 46.

They play the shot and are prepared to lose out to it at times, inevitable but the rewards have outweighed the risks and its one they'll continue to use.

[liquidfootball2]

Sri Lanka as usual lost their two reviews available in the first hour, since when they've had three more occasions when they would also have certainly reviewed, had they still had them, and they would have lost them too.

Why again do they take even the slightest notice of what their keeper Dickwella thinks?

Latest 148-3

Bairstow 64*
Stokes 6*

[hancockjr]

England 184-3
Australia 82-6

Nice

[liquidfootball2]

197-3 tea, weather threatening and the pitch covered

Bairstow 81*
Stokes 38*

Curran's injury has given Jonny his opportunity and he may still feel sorely aggrieved at having had to sit out the last one, and perhaps it's spurring him on to show others exactly why.

[liquidfootball2]

Stokes made 56 and Bairstow has just gone for a magnificent century.

255-5

[liquidfootball2]

Australia will take a 1-0 lead into the final T20 as weather intervened with Australia 132-7 off 19 overs - no result

England 273-6, Buttler went ct & b driving fiercely off the back foot back over Sandakan's head, the bowler holding a fine one handed catch.

Sandakan has 4 wickets and been their best bowler

Ali and Foakes in with both relatively new to the crease

280-6 Ali 13* Foakes 5*