Tag: Alastair Cook

Cricket: Cook still the focus of Colombo dead rubber

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The series may have already been lost but that hasn’t eased the pressure on England’s captain Alastair Cook.  Despite assurances from the England Cricket Board, Cook is under immense pressure to turn both his own form and that of his team around.  His own form is woeful, he’s scored just the 87 runs in the series thus far (interestingly, vice captain Eoin Morgan has only scored 86 as well) and his strike rate of juts 67 is worrying.  He needs runs or a win, preferably both.

Sri Lanka on the other hand have a settled captain and a settled middle order.  The evergreen pair of Kumar Sangakkar and Mahela Jayawardene are set to play their last one day international match at their home ground of the Premadasa.  A huge crowd is expected to farewell the two legends and it is only fitting that Sri Lanka deliver them a win for their troubles.  After all 4-2 sounds a lot more commanding than 4-3, and in truth, a more accurate reflection of the gulf between the sides.

The Last Time These Two Met

Kumar Sangakkara gave Sri Lanka the series win the las time the two teams played.  His scores have gradually increased throughout the series, but it would be difficult to expect more of the same from him this time around.  Instead a Jayawardene classic is in the script as he celebrates his last home appearance.

The Teams

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne/Dinesh Chandimal, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Seekkuge Prasanna, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Suranga Lakmal 11 Lakshan Sandakan

Sri Lanka need to find an opening solution quickly so will likely give either Dimuth Karunaratne or Dinesh Chandimal a go at the top.  Chandimal’s run in the previous match could give him the edge.

England (likely): 1 Alastair Cook, 2 Alex Hales, 3 James Taylor, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Jos Buttler (wk), 7 Ravi Bopara, 8 Ben Stokes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 James Tredwell, 11 Harry Gurney

England could use the dead rubber to give games to other members of their touring squad in a bid to find out more about them including Alex Hales, Harry Gurney, Ben Stokes or Ian Bell, mind you, there’s little more they could find out about Bell.  That could see Moeen Ali and the impressive Chris Woakes miss out.

The Key Players

James Tredwell – The unheralded spinner does not elect much praise for his work but he should.  He’s building a nice reputation as an accurate and economical spinner, and his series numbers thus far stack up well.  His 4 wickets have come at an average of 42, but the impressive stat is the economy rate of 4.33.  An entire run per over better than the second cheapest England bowler (Moeen Ali).

Mahela Jayawardene – Whether he bats four or at the top the right hander is a dangerous prospect.  In this dead rubber he has an excellent chance to audition for a permanent World Cup opening spot, which will in turn solve a difficult conundrum for the Sri Lankan selectors.

The Odds*

Sri Lanka – $1.59

England – $2.36

*International Cricket odds courtesy of BetEasy.

The Prediction

England to steal a pride saving win by 2 wickets. Oh an Alastair Cook is paying $20 to score a century for anyone who is brave enough.

Cricket: Sangakkara too good for awful England

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If Kumar Sangakkara’s scores in the four prior matches against England were anything to go by he was destined to eventually reach three figures in the series.  Scores of 67*, 63, 86 and 91 were just the precursor to a breathtaking hundred, scored at a rapid pace in game six of the seven match series.  His innings was at all times controlled, allowing him to effortlessly toyed with the England field and captain.  That he was dropped by the England captain in the midst of the manipulation when on 41 was as fitting as it was cruel.     His run a ball 112 the backbone of his sides impressive total of 292.  With an uncharacteristically controlled support hand from  Tillakaratne Dilshan (68) and a late contribution from the returning Dinesh Chandimal (35), Sri Lanka were able to register a total that asked England to be at their very best if the wanted to take the series to a Colombo decider.

England were not at their best.  Their chase never really threatened Sri Lanka’s total and none of their players could match Sangakkara’s heroics.  The chase started in the worst possible fashion when out of sorts and under-pressure captain Alastair Cook played around a straight one in the third over.  James Taylor arrival at the crease gave reason for England to be hopeful given his strong performances in the series thus far, but he too fell to the impressive Sachithra Senanayake after walking past one.  When Moeen Ali fell to a Dilshan ripper the series was all but over at 50/3.  Joe Root got some time in the middle with a circumspect 55, Chris Woakes blazed 41 – outlining his improving credentials as a handy limited overs cricketer – and Sangakkara also grabbed four catches behind the sticks.

Despite suffering his fourth successive defeat at the helm of the ODI team Alastair Cook remained staunch when his ability to lead the side was questioned.  While there are chorus’ for the man to give up the captaincy, it seems unlikely give the proximity to the World Cup, but coach Peter Moores offered less support than he usually does by suggesting, “It would be wrong of me as a selector and coach not to review things at the end of this series”.

Sri Lanka 292 for 7 (Sangakkara 112, Dilshan 68) beat England 202 (Root 55, Woakes 41, Lakmal 4-30, Senanayake 3-33) by 90 runs

Cricket: Cook’s ban a blessing in disguise?

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As far as one match cricket bans go Alastair Cook’s is actually quite convenient.  The captain has been forced to sit the fourth match of the one day series against Sri Lanka out after a slow over rate, but England fans may see a silver lining in the unfortunate ban.  Firstly, Cook’s exit gives Eoin Morgan a chance to lead the side.  He’s in desperate need of some form with the blade and the hope is that the added responsibility will allow him to play with the type of accountability that will also bring runs.  The second hope is that the Alex Hales and Moeen Ali at the top of the order will bring a far greater early impetus and set the the tone for a positive approach and a big total.

The Last Time These Two Met

England recorded a much needed win the last time the two sides met.  Joe Buttler and Joe Root crafted a superbly timed chase to beat the rain and the Sri Lankans.  If the visitors fell 3-0 behind the series would have lost all of its appeal, therefore, the win was vital for keeping the Barmy Army full of voice.  England will look to build on the game three win, and level the series on a dry and dusty pitch Colombo surface.

The Teams

Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Kusal Perera, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt), 6 Lahiru Thirimanne, 7 Jeevan Mendis, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Dhammika Prasad, 10 Rangana Herath, 11 Ajantha Mendis

Jayawardene should return in a straight swap for Kandamby in the only change for Sri Lanka.  Although some thought might be given to dropping Ajantha Mendis after his spin was destroyed at Hambantota.

England (likely): 1 Moeen Ali, 2 Alex Hales, 3 James Taylor, 4 Joe Root, 5 Ravi Bopara, 6 Eoin Morgan (capt), 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Chris Jordan, 10 James Tredwell, 11 Steven Finn

James Taylor and Ian Bell (fitness permitting) will battle it out for the number three spot in Cook’s absence.  First class phenomenon Taylor deserves the chance after piling on runs in all forms of cricket over the past few years.  James Tredwell could also return at Ben Stokes’ expense.

The Key Players

Tillakaratne Dilshan – The all-rounder has already won a man of the match award after his performance in game one.  He’s also threatened with both bat and ball to do it again.  Look for the 38 year old to have a big impact on this one too.  BetEasy have him at $4.50 to top score.

Joe Root – David Warner’s punching bag is already a shoe-in for Englands World Cup Cricket squad.  The right hander is a stable of the middle order, and also provides a useful parti time bowling option in these spin friendly conditions.  Scores of 2, 42 and 48* could mean he’s improving in each innings and could go big in this one.  Jump on him at $6.20 with BetEasy.

The Odds*

Sri Lanka – $1.54

England – $2.48

*International Cricket odds courtesy of BetEasy.

The Prediction

The dry conditions will not suit the England side that traditionally struggle against accurate spin bowling.  Nevertheless, the odds offered for this one are too good to overlook.  Expect England to sneak another win in unlikely circumstances.

Cricket: Wet game three to add to England’s woes

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Chaos vs. consistency is the theme for game three today. Sri Lanka are enjoying their turn to dish out the punishment after being whipping boys in India, and have developed a nice consistent tempo to their game. On the other hand, the chaotic English side is within touching distance of a complete meltdown.

Loses in the first two matches of the cricket series have again subject their captain to speculative media attention, and the batsmen’s frailties against spin are becoming glaringly obvious.   Too many of their players are out of form. Cook, Bell, Morgan, and Butler are all quality players in their own right, but England need a lot more productivity out of them if they are going to compete in this series or the Cricket World Cup.

Sri Lanka just need to keep winning and prepare themselves for sterner tests.

The Last Time These Two Met

The second one-day international cricket match was the opposite of the first. Dull, one sided and timid would have all featured on the synopsis of the highlights package as England slumped to an eight-wicket loss.

The Teams

Sri Lanka: Dilshan, Kusal, Sangakkara, Thirimanne, Mathews, Kandamby, T Perera, J Mendis, Prasad, Herath, A Mendis.

Kandamby replaces the unavailable Jayawardene.

England: Cook, Moeen, Hales, Root, Morgan, Bopara, Buttler, Stokes, Woakes, Jordan, Finn

Three changes for England. Hales, Stokes and Jordan to replace Bell, Gurney and Tredwell. Hales is officially the best T20 batsmen in the World (ICC Cricket Rankings). He opens in every format he plays, but is strangely being asked to bat three here, or not so strangely if you consider Alastair Cook the England captain also prefers to open.

The Key Players 

Ajantha Mendis – He may not make it into the final XI for Sri Lanka’s crucial Cricket World Cup games but boy does he love playing against England. After already taking five wickets in the two matches thus far his average against England has lowered to 26 with an RPO of under 5. Expect him to take wickets again.

Alex Hales – Hales is a destructive cricketer. He averages an impressive 37 from his 33 international T20 games at a strike rate of 138. The unwritten rule of T20 cricket is that a batsman is reasonable if his strike rate and averages totals over 160. Hales achieves that, and some. The test will be whether he can start well against spin if asked to.

The Odds*

Sri Lanka – $1.85

England – $1.95

*International Cricket odds courtesy of Centrebet.

The Prediction

Rain is predicted to wreck havoc on this one so the toss could be quite crucial. England can’t get it done on the field so maybe a bit of luck will help them here. I’m going for them to win the toss and to win the match. Jayawardene’s absence a big factor in the decision.