The official The Official England Test Cricket 2011 Thread

[Doggy Styles]

For me the best days of cricket were the 1980's. Beefy and Lamby were fantastic! The game had so much spirit back then.

I agree to some extent but I think it's an age thing. Plus Brian Johnson.

Over the past ten years though England have played better and better cricket (except when Flintoff was captain) and snatched results we could only dream about during last century (except for the odd Botham surprise.)

The worst days were the 1990s, when England were limited in talent, leadership and coaching.

[Ruprect]

For me the best days of cricket were the 1980's. Beefy and Lamby were fantastic! The game had so much spirit back then.

Ever listened to the 12th man? If not, you should

[Jeff Maginty]

..

[Doggy Styles]

I think my previous post finished them off.

Things seem to work differently when England are batting. I stopped listening just before that last over when Strauss was out. That means that now I've got to listen all day.

[PRC1964]

Yes, Jayawardene II out. OK, now get the last man out and don't lose a wicket tonight.

[DodgyAgent]

tulip, dropped!

OK, here's another post. Sri Lanka have only ever had a couple of great bowlers and they're both gone now, so 400 might not be enough (time permitting)

Who would we have as our own Geoffrey Boycott?

[Doggy Styles]

tulip, dropped!

OK, here's another post. Sri Lanka have only ever had a couple of great bowlers and they're both gone now, so 400 might not be enough (time permitting)

[Doggy Styles]

And as you posted, they lost a wicket.

Keep posting.

Good God, so they did.

Right, here's another post then. That was Broad's 100th wicket in tests. It only cost him 105 runs.

(DS now watches cricinfo for wicket number 8 to fall)

[PRC1964]

...and now they're at it again.

And as you posted, they lost a wicket.

Keep posting.

[Doggy Styles]

I have vague memories of Sri Lanka's first test in England in about 1984. They batted, and batted, and batted, and have done it ever since...

...and now they're at it again.

[Doggy Styles]

True but no one can bat forever. should beat SL. India a harder proposition for sure

True, and England are a different prospect to the pie chuckers circa 1984 to 2004.

I have vague memories of Sri Lanka's first test in England in about 1984. They batted, and batted, and batted, and have done it ever since.

England seem to be on the way in this test though, they've got the three stars out.

[Ruprect]

One match at a time. Sri Lanka have got weaker bowling than they've had for many years, but they can still bat.

True but no one can bat forever. should beat SL. India a harder proposition for sure

[Doggy Styles]

One match at a time. Sri Lanka have got weaker bowling than they've had for many years, but they can still bat.

[Ruprect]

Test starts tomorrow. Come on. Have tickets for one of the one-dayers, but the tests are the real deal. Could make no. 1 this year IF we beat India too.

<rubs hands together>

Love it.

Predicted player of the series: Alistair Cook (again). He has the potential to get to no.1 himself too if he can build on the ashes.

Please no posts from antagonistic scots