The Cricket Thread

[Strike 7,486]

He's just a shit Inzaghi.

There's a big wicket. Vintage Lasith yorker. Now to get rid of Kohli, Raina and Dhoni.

that's the end of rohit sharma's international career. atleast temporarily

[capriccioso 2,545]

At least these early wickets mean India can't wrap it up by over 45..

[Ankit 3,176]

At least these early wickets mean India can't wrap it up by over 45..

Looks like it will finish by over 45

Kohli-you beauty!!

[capriccioso 2,545]

I think India are the best chasing team in the world right now. They should be sent in first more often by opposition captains. At 4/109 the game was nicely poised but I think Mahela made a mistake leaving Mendis and Herath on against Raina. He could have tried bouncing him out using Malinga or some other quick bowler.

[Ankit 3,176]

Series done and dusted. Brilliant start to the new season!

Virat Kohli is a LEGEND in the making. Allready 13 hundreds surpassing players like Hayden , Inzi, KP, Smith. All this at the age of 23.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Better than Hayden, Smith and Inzamam, already? That is incredible, the three of them were among the best batsmen the 50 over game has ever seen. I think he might even be better than Tendulkar by the time he finishes his career. Kulasekara has been a huge loss, he adds some stability and explosiveness with the bat low in the order, and he's a very good ODI bowler. He keeps it tight and usually gets a pressure wicket brought on from keeping the run rate down. Thisara looks out of his depth opening the bowling, Mahela could have been innovative and opened with Herath/Dilshan along with Malinga.

Also, regarding Yadav, he reminds me of how Brett Lee and Shoaib Akthar used to be when they were young (though a fair bit slower, of course). If he goes down the Lee route and gains some consistency and control of the ball, India can have a brilliant paceman. If he goes down the Akthar route of inconsistency and poor control that won't be the case.

[capriccioso 2,545]

On the plus side Chandimal finally showed something. Even then he got himself out carelessly attempting an unnecessary slog. He has to go back to basics, he has to model himself as an accumulator, not a hitter.

I like Thirimanne for the future ahead of Chandimal. Him and Mathews seem best equipped to take over from Mahela and Sanga, though they have a long, long way to go to be anywhere near as good in the test arena. In ODI's they aren't that far off, with natural progression as they age, they should be perhaps 85-90% as good as their predecessors.

[Drogzola 283]

[Drogzola 283]

Just some fun before the start of the second test.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,532]

James W.A. Taylor makes his England debut at the age of 22. has been the captain for the England lions in the past. Leicestershire born and bred.plays for Nottinghamshire now after leaving his home county last year. right-handed batsmen replaces Ravi Bopara. he`s a shortarse at 5 foot 4 inches. good player but remains to be seen how quickly he can step up now he`s playing at the highest level of cricket.

decent start by South Africa. 27-0 Petersen hogging the strike.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,532]

Cook just dropped a dolly off the bowling of Jimmy..Petersen the lucky batsmen. England playing with 4 seamers.

[capriccioso 2,545]

Outstanding from Finn

That'll learn him.

[Drogzola 283]

England playing with 4 seamers.

What was the thinking behind leaving Swann off the team? Is it a seamers pitch?

[capriccioso 2,545]

What was the thinking behind leaving Swann off the team? Is it a seamers pitch?

It shouldn't matter much as Tahir is the weak link in South Africa's bowling attack, regardless of the pitch.

Most pitches in England are seam friendly, no? I prefer Australian/South African pitches. The bouncy-ness allows batsmen, spinners, and quicks to showcase their talents equally well if they're up to the task. The dry/dusty pitches in the subcontinent, the slow, low pitches in the West Indies and the greentops in England benefit one of the three at the cost of another.

[Drogzola 283]

It shouldn't matter much as Tahir is the weak link in South Africa's bowling attack, regardless of the pitch.

Most pitches in England are seam friendly, no? I prefer Australian/South African pitches. The bouncy-ness allows batsmen, spinners, and quicks to showcase their talents equally well if they're up to the task. The dry/dusty pitches in the subcontinent, the slow, low pitches in the West Indies and the greentops in England benefit one of the three at the cost of another.

Yeah I also prefer our pitches. Tahir is a weak bowler but we have never been known to produce great spinners. Tahir is in the team for his ridiculous celebrations.