Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

[nmrfox]

Underneath grey, leaden skies and a chilly breeze enough to make even the most hardy local sheep huddle a bit closer for warmth, its hard to believe that in 6 days time I'll be at Headingley for the first day of the first test against a Sri Lanka side who must be wondering what on earth they have done wrong to start a test match in May in Northern England.

I was at Headingley on the 4th day in May 2007 of the WI test which was reputed at the time to be the coldest ever at 7C. Whilst I doubt the mercury will drop to that level (or at least I hope it doesn't), it's certainly looking like it will be pretty nippy with tea drinking more likely than beer and an extra jumper required.

[longeared]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

I imagine this is the ECB's way of punishing the Sri Lankans for the last tour "you made Cook look a rubbish captain at Headingley, so we'll make you play there in May". Going myself on the Saturday and the forecast doesn't look too bad from this distance.

I went to the 2nd day of that Windies Test and it was a positively balmy 10c, though that was helped by KP completing a double ton and then England bowling them out.

[nmrfox]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Was there on day 2 as well, in the gloomy bowels of the Rugby Stand. My lads first ever experience of live test cricket (he loved it). Remember poor Corey Collymore dropping a skyer from KP and, as he was facing the screen above the Western Terrace, having to watch a couple of replays of it with the derision of the crowd ringing in his ears.

[longeared]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Collymore had the keeper standing up for him too for an over that day, which probably didn't help his general mood.

[Kusal Flyer]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Looking forward to the Saturday at Lord's.Forecast suggesting a long hot summer...

[longeared]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

"Sri Lanka couldn't bowl my mum or my grandma out" says Boycott in his first sentence on TMS.

There's in play highlights of key moments on the BBC live text page, which is good other than the obvious drawback of having to wade through the bantz-heavy prose of the bellends that write this sort of thing. Not many at Headingley by the looks.

[Kusal Flyer]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Hales has turned into Boycott so far- 27 off 59 balls.

They should have left the rarely witty commentators behind in SAF. On a Bantzustan.

To be fair to Sir Geoffrey's Ma, her record is impressive:

[diggedy derek]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Shanaka has three for one. Why did they not think of bringing along a part-time medium pace dobbly wobbler before?

[Kusal Flyer]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Ha ha ha. What are crowd chanting- "Rout"?

[Duncan Gardner]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Vince and Stokes are now back in the hutch reading Mrs B's coaching manual. 83/5

[nmrfox]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Interesting 2/3rds of a day. Hales and edp Bairstow batted beautifully but the other 5 wickets could have been avoided especially the over confident shots against the SL debutant. Not sure if my knees are burnt or going rusty though.

[Gangster Octopus]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Pre-lunch collapse in progress...

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

James Vince just made a ball rear up from short of a length.

Quite canny that Finn was kept back till after tea. The not out batsmen will be cropping out their sausage rolls before they've eaten them.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Okay. Tea on the second day. England 298 all out; Sri Lanka 43-3. 140 for Bairstow, who is in the form of his life. The ball is doing things, or at least it was to get Sri Lanka into trouble at 12-3.Chandimal and Mathews regrouping.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Finn good.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Anderson passes Kapil Dev, 435 test wickets. Courteney Walsh next up, with 519.

[Gangster Octopus]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Can't see him playing for long enough to reach that.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

He just got 436.

He'll pick of Courteney by next week.

[Gangster Octopus]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

If we get the last four out for seventeen runs or fewer, will we enforce the follow-on?

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

I think so. It's swinging a mile and bouncing. We've 4 quicks.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Anderson's making it talk.

[Gangster Octopus]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Grrrr, just popped into The Harrow for a very rapid pint, and they're showing the IPL shit instead of real cricket...

[Tubby Isaacs]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Very bad forecast tmrw.

[Janik]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Looks fine for Sunday and Monday. It seems unlikely that even 12 session will be needed.

[longeared]

Not a lot to Chameera about - Eng v SL

Full covers on here, sopper going round the outfield. Stopped raining but we'll do well to get a start before midday.