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[psincock]

C'mon Monty !!!

[The_Bird]

Is it a good thing for GN if Monty is batting with a GN Scoop? Though I am sitting here slightly jealous he has one...

It sounds lovely haha

[Vic Nicholas]

Crushed.

[Jord030994]

Fair play Pakistan

[Number4]

Crushed.

You or England Vic? Haha

[basket case]

England don't have a clue against spin. Flogging hapless 'spinners' like Doherty and Harbhajan made England believe they could play spin. Playing turning pitches England made a journeyman like Rehman look world class.

Looking forward, England better learn how to play left arm spin and unorthodox off spin pretty sharpish, as Sri Lanka will be loaded up with Herath, Mendis and Randiv

[Buzz]

Looking forward, England better learn how to play left arm spin and unorthodox off spin pretty sharpish, as Sri Lanka will be loaded up with Herath, Mendis and Randiv

on a pitch which hasn't been watered since the rainy season as the sri lankan cricket board hasn't paid it's water bills...

[Vic Nicholas]

on a pitch which hasn't been watered since the rainy season as the sri lankan cricket board hasn't paid it's water bills...

Yep.

Bunsen burners all the way.

[uknsaunders]

People do exaggerate don't they!

England were 70 runs off in the last 2 test matches, batting last. They were in control for good chunks of that. Pakistan have probably the most potent attack in these conditions and England struggled. Things never get better overnight and it will take time to adapt. However, I doubt they will struggle against SL/India in the same way but it won't be easy.

[basket case]

However, I doubt they will struggle against SL/India in the same way but it won't be easy.

Pakistan have the weakest batting lineup of PAK, SL and IND. England's bowlers all ways kept Pakistan in check.

SL are formidable at home. Guys like Sangakkara, Mahela and Samaraweera get massive scores in their conditions. SL batsmen will cover their weaker bowling line up. So Engkand will be under more pressure.

IND as well, their batsmen gave massive scores on their conditions.

England will likely be faced by scores of 450-600 range.

[Opener]

SL batsmen did not give a good account of themselves against Pakistan in the UAE recently so I am not sure if they will be formidable against England and in SL the ball seams around also so England bowlers will be in with a chance.

India generally do very well at home but there is a question mark over the confidence of their batsmen and they don't have settled spinners unless they plan on playing Harbajjan.

[basket case]

SL batsmen did not give a good account of themselves against Pakistan in the UAE recently so I am not sure if they will be formidable against England and in SL the ball seams around also so England bowlers will be in with a chance.

India generally do very well at home but there is a question mark over the confidence of their batsmen and they don't have settled spinners unless they plan on playing Harbajjan.

SL struggled a little a bit against Ajmal. England don't have Ajmal...

Whilst SL where disappointing against Pakistan, Sangakkara, Samaraweera and Chandimal where excellent in South Africa.

India's spin attack in home conditions was Ashwin and Ojha in their last home series. I'd suspect they would keep their places as they did pretty well. They also had R Jadeja or Rahul Sharma waiting in the wings. I think it's safe to safe Harbhajan isn't near the Test side after his dreadful performances in England.

[Opener]

I think Sri Lanka were undone by Junaid Khan in the match they lost in the UAE. I have not seen these Indian spinners play. I don't know what sort of lines they ball but judging from the Pakistan series England batsman are susceptible to spinners who bowl a straightish line rather than big turners due to the lbw. Ajmal summed it up pretty well when he said his trick was to bowl the off-spinner and the doosra at pretty much the same line to create a doubt in the mind of the batsmen.

I think England should think about giving Bresnan and Finn a chance. If I were an England selector I would play Anderson, Broad, Bresnan and Swan in SriLanka and in India I would play Finn, Broad, Monty and Swan.

[basket case]

I think Sri Lanka were undone by Junaid Khan in the match they lost in the UAE. I have not seen these Indian spinners play. I don't know what sort of lines they ball but judging from the Pakistan series England batsman are susceptible to spinners who bowl a straightish line rather than big turners due to the lbw. Ajmal summed it up pretty well when he said his trick was to bowl the off-spinner and the doosra at pretty much the same line to create a doubt in the mind of the batsmen.

I think England should think about giving Bresnan and Finn a chance. If I were an England selector I would play Anderson, Broad, Bresnan and Swan in SriLanka and in India I would play Finn, Broad, Monty and Swan.

With DRS in play, England would have to play 2 spinners in SL. I'd play Bresnan in place of Morgan.

In India there isn't DRS and Monty has struggled against them. Plus look at the side that does really well in India - South Africa. They only ever played 1 spinner. They bomb India with pace. Steyn averages like 10-15 per wicket. England should play 3 quicks. one of them must be Finn

[Opener]

The problem is South Africa does not have any quality spinners. Also I don't expect Anderson to do much in India other than his first 5 overs with the new ball when he brings it in to the left hander. I don't think England will play 5 bowlers. I still think Morgan can have a big impact in India.

This DRS thing is a little overblown. It wont matter if there is no DRS in India. The issue is umpires are now more willing to give lbws courtesy of analyzing themselves through replays. This won't change if there is no DRS, although if you have Billy Doctrove, who never thinks its out, it might be the case.

I do not think England should play Monty in SriLanka because SriLankan batsmen are brought up on a diet of SLA bowlers and I don't remember Abdul Rehman having any impact against them.