SL tour of Eng, Aug 21 - Sept 10

[Arthur Crabtree]

Is Wood out of the tour?

[sussexpob]

I generally like the idea that when England are faced with a dilemma, they go with a pick for the future

Picking a horribly out of form Ollie Stone is hardly the future though, hes the same age as Robinson.

Its clearly not about age, but about pace. They want everyone to be quick.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hull would follow the pattern of turning to younger players, but he isn't going to get a game.

[Durhamfootman]

I generally like the idea that when England are faced with a dilemma, they go with a pick for the future

Picking a horribly out of form Ollie Stone is hardly the future though, hes the same age as Robinson.

Its clearly not about age, but about pace. They want everyone to be quick.

He bowled poorly against Durham just a few days ago. He got what his bowling deserved

[andy]

Stunned that sri Lanka have chosen to bowl first! Very happy we are batting first!!

[sussexpob]

Guess the old adage is that Lords gets flat on Day 2-3, but you have to get there.... and also have to bat last. So I am always batting first at Lords.

[sussexpob]

Lawrence fails again

[sussexpob]

Pope follows....42/2. Decent start in the end for SL.

[andy]

I wonder how much longer Ollie pope really gets .....Lawrence worth a go at 3 instead of opening and/or Jordan cox is in incredible form...pope looks in awful nick and seems to be finding more and more ways of getting out

[Arthur Crabtree]

Often worth bowling first at Lord's. But you pay a big cost if you don't bowl well.

[sussexpob]

I wonder how much longer Ollie pope really gets .....Lawrence worth a go at 3 instead of opening and/or Jordan cox is in incredible form...pope looks in awful nick and seems to be finding more and more ways of getting out

Aside from the Hyderabad innings, he tends to have underperformed very badly in England's big series. Average of 15 v OZ and 24 v India (in a combined near 20 matches) is pathetic. Scores v Windies and 200s v Ireland might make his career look better, but a few more failures in September and his position might be in trouble.

[sussexpob]

Root gets lucky there.... thought that looked very out, but the umpire didn't give it, and umpires call saves him....

[sussexpob]

Duckett now gone to a top edged reverse sweep...82/3 is a decent return bowling first

[Arthur Crabtree]

A lot resting on Root and Brook, again.

[alfie]

A lot resting on Root and Brook, again.

Becoming a bit of a habit...

Sri Lanka bowled quite well in that session. But the batsmen were very culpable in their dismissals. Top three all need some runs as you can't expect 4/5/6 to rescue every innings.