No way can we consider Harmison for a test match later this week if he has a back problem today.We probably need his extra pace but it is too big a risk to take.

Interesting...

What is... the fact that we were so poor, the fact that Bopara top scored, the fact that Harmison didn't bat?

On the BBC Sport website it is flashing up Breaking news that James Anderson has hurt his ankle.

Well that means we have to play Hoggard,Sidebottom and Broad then as i wouldn't want to take a risk with any bowler who is unable to bowl in a game a few days before a test match.

I was thinking that the scorecard for the England innings was intresting in many ways:

1. All out in 50 overs at 2.66 / over seems rather unexpected given that the President's XI skipped along to almost 300 at 3.67 an over.

2. Shah playing the anchor role: evidence that he really is a different batsman from a year or two back.

3. Bopara rotating the strike so well: 16 of 47 runs in boundaries.

That said.. the Sri Lankan second innings is making England's effort look outstanding...

Edit: I wonder how often a bowler has recorded figures to match these....

Perhaps today has shown that we bowled badly on day 1 and Hoggard has now found his rhythm ready for Saturday.I expect us to lose this game but at least the selection for the 1st test can't be argued about now as Bopara,Broad and Sidebottom all have to play.

Yes it seems they will, and I can't see the result in the test being any different.

Forget the poor bowling, and it was assumed by many that Sidebottom was in Hoggards class - the main problem for year including 2005. has been the batting.

Vaughan - not been in consistent form for years.

Cook - everything on his shoulders

Bopara - for a newbie to much is expected of him.

Bell - not a model of concistency.

Shah - very new.

Even Pietersen has not been in consistent form, to much was put on his shoulders IMO.

With these players and an injured and out of form bowling attack - the future on this tour looks bleak, unless Sri Lanka blow it with a loss of form.

More experienced players should have been brought - the same think happened in Australia 2006, to much was expected of the available players.

Hoggard - Sidebottom and Broad - I wonder if Sri Lanka are shaking in their boots at that prospect?.

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Ern

Two still need pruning from the following 13 (certainties in bold):

Vaughan
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Collingwood
Shah
Bopara
Prior / Mustard
Swann
Broad
Sidebottom
Hoggard
Panesar

It's still too early to rule out two spinners: that decision may have to wait until the morning of the Test. The Bopara vs Shah dispute also seems far from settled... though one could even make a case could be made for playing both - given the form each player has shown, it might actually be a blessing if KP / Collingwood were ruled out of a single Test with an upset stomach or similar!

I never thought I would say that two spinner should be played, but if the attack is going to be one paced with Hoggard - Sidebottom and Broad, then that IMO automaticaly brings in both Swann and Panesar.

As for the Bopara dispute - Bopara should be automatic, and Shah could be played at the expence of almost any of the England top order, it really does not matter IMO which of the batsmen are selected.

PS:One easy decission is to FORGET Prior, he has not done enough to keep Mustard out - either as keeper or batsman.

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Ern

I agree about Prior Ern but we are stuck with him.As for 2 spinners,i thought that the first test pitch was supposed to suit seamers generally.