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Auspicious beginning for new skipper Dilshan:
England Lions game will be the real test
Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from england
The Sri Lankan batsmen seem to have adjusted quickly to English
conditions if the form displayed by skipper Tillekeratne Dilshan,
Tharanga Paranavitharne, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal in their
drawn three-day encounter against Middlesex is an indication.
It was an auspicious beginning for Sri Lanka’s new skipper Dilshan
when he slammed a belligerent 123 with 14 fours and a six in 134 balls.
Paranavitharne too made a three figure mark 103 with 15 fours 146 balls.
Both batsmen retired to give Thirimanne 28 and Chandimal 42 some batting
practice.
While the batsmen obliged, the bowlers failed to impress in this
game, that did not hold much significance. The game against the England
Lions beginning today will be a good test and Sri Lanka will pick the
team for the First Test based on the form in this game.
It is early summer here and the weather is nice and cool and ideal
for cricket.
England selectors seem to be plonking for youth if the team they have
named in the England Lions line-up to face Sri Lanka in a four-day game
at the picturesque Derbyshire Ground beginning tomorrow is an
indication.
In the selection, especially interesting to note is the inclusion of
right hander Ravi Bopara and left hander Eoin Morga. With the retirement
of all rounder Paul Collinwood, the number six all rounder’s position in
the England team is wide open and if Bopara or Morgan delivers getting
in the runs, one of them could grab this position.
Bopra and Morgan have both represented England before. But have not
performed consistently to cement this position. Both are sure to grab
this opportunity and endeavor to come good and cling on to this position
in the Three Test series against Sri Lanka, with the first one starting
in Cardiff on May 26.
Both are attacking batsmen. Bopara is a right hander and an exquisite
timer of the ball. He is especially strong on the off side and packs
some powerful off drives. Morgan on the other hand is a hard hitting and
quick scoring left hander with strokes all round the wicket and if he
gets going the fielders will be chasing leather.
Another player who will be keen to do well is right hander Samit
Patel. Patel was unfortunate not to find a place in England’s 2011 World
Cup team. He is a talented batsman. His fitness is suspect. Coach Andy
Flower who has made England a formidable force insists on fitness and
has made it known that no player lacking in fitness would be considered.
The Lions team has a lot of county talent. He two James’- Hildreth
and Taylor are also knocking on the door for selection to the national
side. Graham Onions and Steven Finn are two bowlers England selectors
will love to have in the First Test line up.
Both are intelligent medium pace bowlers who concentrate on line and
length and movement. The English conditions are ideal for their style of
bowing and if they strike form batsmen better watch out. They could be
amongst the wickets and could destroy any formidable batting line up.
The England lions are quite formidable and will grit their teeth and
come hard at the Lankans looking to inflict a morale shattering defeat,
what with only a few days for the First Test. With the selectors
watching hawk eyed, all Lions players will want to catch the eye and be
in the frame when Test match team picking time comes around.
The England Lions team: James Hildreth (capt), Jimmy Adams, J.
Bairstow, Danny Briggs, Ravi Bopara, J. Dernbach, S.Finn, E. Morgan, G.
Onions, S. Patel, A. Shahad, J. Taylor. Deryshire, England, Wednesday
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