England In Sri Lanka

[saftmfc]

after the horrendous twenty20 tournament the barmy army head off to the sub continent. . . a good strong result for the tour party against Sri Lanka XI . . . so the ODI's first ... England will have their work cut out without Andrew Flintoff who really leads the attack well. . . could be back for test series but i wouldnt risk him next year is vital for Flintoff to prove his fitness ready for an ashes charge . . . Murali misses first 3 ODI's which is great news. . The sri lankan top order is the key get them early and you cruise to victory . . . Malinga and Vaas are quality 50 over bowlers.

Saw the highlights on ssn and Cook Bell and Pietersen all looked in great touch bowlers looked good and Mustard took a great catch i see us winning both the one dayers and test series

[Dioufy]

I think Kevin Pietersen has to bat at number three in the ODI's.

[Dioufy]

I know we're not really used to these kind of pitches but I expected a better show from the England lad's today.

I don't know why we let Ian Bell bat at number three because once Matt Prior, Alistair Cook or Phil Mustard get out the innings just stops. Even if we get a half decent start like today, once we lose that first wicket we shouldn't be picking up two or three an over for the next ten overs or so - I'm not saying go and hit it out the park but just up the tempo slightly and give ourselves a chance instead of letting the required run-rate get above eight or nine before we make a move.

There's also another thing that worries me, we must be one of the lowest teams in the ICC rankings for hitting sixes. It just doesn't happen for us especially when we're away from home. I know for a fact that Paul Collingwood, Ravi Bopara, Phil Mustard, Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell all have the ability to hit it out of the ground, but they never seem to manage it, especially when we need it, as was proved in the 20/20 World Cup and the games against India earlier this year.

If we don't improve I can see another 5-0 whitewash from these lad's from Sri Lanka.

[saftmfc]

good result a spirited display..... Ashes 05 spirit you could say. Owais Shah played superbly and in ODI since Peter Moores took charge he has averaged 45 playing at 6. Graeme Swann played well and is clearly the far superior one day player than monty.

[Dioufy]

I have won a lot of money on England today.