posted Dec 13, 2007

Well I managed to get to the end of the test without the use of a defibrillator.

I'm not as knowledgeable on the game as some of you guys so tell me, how come it takes a one day series, two friendlies and one and a half tests before the English players become 'accustom' to the conditions? Surely that has to provide a question mark over preparation or coaching experience? This seems to be a familiar pattern when England go abroad...enlighten me.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

I will tell Vaughan and Moores that if they don't BELIEVE in the team; and cannot aspite to win series abroad.. merely draw them; they will be replaced very shortly. The team is ranked no. 2 for Christ's sake! For how long should fans listen to endless excuses about the scorching heat, sapping humidity, Murali, alien conditions, snakes, bees and Harmison's blasted boots!! Get on with it, I'd tell them... and stop those pathetic excuses besides.

Prior seems to have got the message, and that has been one good thing for the team

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posted Dec 13, 2007

"I'm not as knowledgeable on the game as some of you guys so tell me, how come it takes a one day series, two friendlies and one and a half tests before the English players become 'accustom' to the conditions? Surely that has to provide a question mark over preparation or coaching experience? This seems to be a familiar pattern when England go abroad...enlighten me."

I don't know that it is a particularly English problem. Most teams struggle to acclimatise when playing away and in the modern era, with very short tours, it will be more of a problem.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

Count, since Vaughan is reluctant to use Bopara as a bowler, I think it would be a good idea to bring Owais Shah into the side, to give England a chance of scoring more than 400. England need to make runs, if they want to win the final Test....

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posted Dec 13, 2007

Would agree with Mikesiva but approach from different angle, we also need 20 wickets and haven't looked like bowling them out cheaply apart from the first innings in the last test. Would give Vaughan the extra bowler and have Prior come in at six.

Of course if it is a green top then strategy needs to change, but that doesnt seem likely.

Risky strategy but we need a win.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

SCA, so Vaughan's performance with the bat is mediocre!

You really do dislike him don't you. It almost looks like it's something personal.

87 and 61 in this test. If that's only mediocre, then roll on more mediocrity!!!
I presume if he'd scored 0 and 148 you'd still say the same?

Look, I was surprised when he just waltzed back into the team after injury, but the fact is he has played well ever since and is currently thoroughly deserving of his place in the batting lineup. It really is time you accepted that as your swipes at him are less and less convincing.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

EC2007: Vaughan is in the side as skipper AND opener... in fact, he's supposed to be England's premier batsman.

Despite his 87 and 61, Vaughan never seemed to believe that England could and ought to win the Colombo Test... he was far too defensive. Besides the 2nd innings knock cam e when England had nothing to win... merely hold out for a draw; and make the record books and averages look good. I would rate batting contributions higher, only if it brings Team success.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

MPV has played 8 matches since his return from a career threatening injury. That he is here at all is a testament to his strength of character.

In 33 Tests as an opening batsman Vaughan has scored 2866 runs at 49.4. Pretty stylishly as well. Of players to score over 2500 runs, only Hutton, Hobbs and Sutcliffe can look down on that average. I'm sure he won't, but even Boycott has to bend the knee at 49.4.

When Vaughan was in a bit of a bad trot, and it is fair to say that he was never quite the same after taking on the captaincy, people would quote his more recent stats. Well now, since coming back from injury, he has 736 runs in 8 Tests at 52.5. Nothing to complain about there, either.

And he's our most successful captain ever. Hooray.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

I'd just bring in Hoggy for Broady for the next Test, by the way.

Good outcome for England today. Shame we didn't bring the draw home in Kandy, which seemed quite doable.

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posted Dec 13, 2007

Oh golly here we go, Swamy Cricket Ananda. The usual drivel from you about Vaughan whom you loathe (and by the way you still haven't answered my posting about your scurrilous comments re. his knee injury used as an excuse to avoid major tournaments - I wonder whether you will ever back up your comments).

I question the Sri Lankans for being so obsessed with their top scorers getting a few squillion on the board that they prevented themselves from bowling England out! But there you are, that's the beautiful game....

Vaughan is looking in very good touch indeed and the two consecutive innings where the opening partnership of him and Cook have scored over 100 for the first time since the early 1970s speak volumes for the quality of both players.

Vaughan is a class act, and he encourages his young players like no other. Listen to what he has to say, it's always interesting and to the point. Hats off to him for saying what he said about the appalling umpiring in this match and the need to use the technology more.......

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