1st ODI: England v Sri Lanka at The Oval, Jun 28, 2011

[Hallatia]

First ODI tonight.

Cook's captaincy debut.
Dilshan has been confirmed fit to play.
Pietersen and Morgan were great in the T20 as was Sri Lanka's bowling. Malinga
Jayasuriya is in the ODI squad, so he could get another run.

My guess is England will only field 6 English born players tonight.

 

[Twizzle]

I dont get why these overseas players want to play for the poms, must be easier to get a game for the poms than playing for their own country.

 

[Hallatia]

It just goes to reflect the diversity of English cricket? Saffas aside, I would think the composition of the team is a fair representation of the game in England.

As for actual players at the moment. Morgan is understandable, a bit sad but understandable nonetheless. Most of the others are Saffas. Strauss could just have easily been Australian (not sure if he would have played as much international cricket or captained the side if he was, but I think he would have been eligible to play for Australia before he was eligible to play for England). I don't think he ever would have played for South Africa. KP's situation/stance is well publicised. Trott was old when he came onto the scene.

The younger guys who come through from South Africa would be right in thinking they have a better opportunity to play international cricket with England. I think choosing to play for England comes after being helped by the systems over there as well as eligibility. County cricket would be very appealing to young cricketers who have Summer at a different time of the year and becoming a part of the England set up

England also play a lot more test cricket than RSA, which again is more of an opportunity to play. I think RSA would still have the first shot at keeping these guys, but after a while they become English and England is more than happy to utilise them when South Africa won't (usually for good reason).

 

[Sudhir]

Sanath will open with Dilshan

Pretty exiting combo, just a shame it's only going to be for one match

 

[IanG]

Amazed at Sanath's longevity. (Turns 42 on Thursday) All of his team mates were only kids when he made his debut.

 

[Hallatia]

I wasn't born yet (during his ODI debut anyway, was less than a year old at the time of his test debut)

 

[Sudhir]

Both him and Sachin made their ODI debuts in 1989 .. meaning they've both played in four decades of cricket :shock:

 

[Twizzle]

not much technique but the guy has an eye like a dead fish

 

[TheParraboy]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/520959.html

First ODI tonight.

Cook's captaincy debut.Dilshan has been confirmed fit to play.
Pietersen and Morgan were great in the T20 as was Sri Lanka's bowling. Malinga
Jayasuriya is in the ODI squad, so he could get another run.

My guess is England will only field 6 English born players tonight.

locky would be so proud I reckon

Looks like Jayasuriya is playing, his last ever ODI, a farewell game

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-sri-lanka-2011/content/story/520959.html



Game starts soonish, might try and watch a bit of it

 

[TheParraboy]

SL won toss and will field

very overcast day

 

[Hallatia]

Rain! :crazy:

 

[IanG]

Both him and Sachin made their ODI debuts in 1989 .. meaning they've both played in four decades of cricket :shock:

Yeah scary isn't it.

 

[TheParraboy]

cooky out 5

Poms 1/6 in the 3rd over

 

[Hallatia]

Very convincing victory by England in the end winning by 110 runs after rain decided there would be a maximum of 32 overs a piece. Anderson in superb touch got 4/18. I was a bit underwhelmed by the batting, but the 229 England put on was a pretty good total for 32 overs.