The Surfer
Sri Lanka need to face their demons
Shortly before stumps on the third day, Monty Panesar snared Kumar Sangakkara to dent the Sri Lankan fightback that had been built by half-centuries by Upul Tharanga and Sangakkara
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Shortly before stumps on the third day, Monty Panesar snared Kumar Sangakkara to dent the Sri Lankan fightback that had been built by half-centuries by Upul Tharanga and Sangakkara. Read what the papers have to say about day's play.
Sri Lanka's struggle in English conditions was expected and Aravinda de Silva tells us why in The Observer.
Sri Lanka will always struggle in England whenever they do not play a Test in August because our batsmen from schoolboy level upwards are not exposed to an adequate preparatory syllabus. On our wickets, yes, even Geoffrey Boycott's mum could make runs. But with our coaching system and cricket set-up, not even Michael Holding could become a champion fast bowler.
Sri Lanka, having shown all the grit and fight of a lap dog in the first two days of the match, at last exhibited something akin to tenacity. Sinhalese bulldog, say. They will lose all the same, writes Stephen Brenkley in The Independent.
Full postPietersen evokes memories of Sir Viv
A feast of reports from yesterday’s papers for you this morning, with Kevin Pietersen and Sajid Mahmood deservedly (and understandably) grabbing the headlines
Will
25-Feb-2013
A feast of reports from yesterday’s papers for you this morning, with Kevin Pietersen and Sajid Mahmood deservedly (and understandably) grabbing the headlines. The Times have a wonderful snippet section (see here) with some hidden gems of yesterday’s play, including the revelation that Richie Benaud – now a refugee of the commentary box; he refuses to work for subscription-based TV companies – enjoyed a glass of wine in the Coronation Garden with friends. The first time for eons.
"He is big and brash and as subtle as colonic irrigation," writes Rick Broadbent of Pietersen in The Times where he also compares him to Pele.
Simon Hughes is full of praise for Mahmood, whose three wickets shocked Sri Lanka yesterday.
He looks more rhythmic and confident now, and his success here further questions Sri Lanka's decision to leave out their one surprise package, Lasith Malinga.
'Copter load of that
Now the Surfer is going to try its best to stay away from Shane Warne and chopper gags… but it is sorely tempted to after it hears the news that Warne is to fly in by helicopter to deliver the match ball for Saturday's FA Cup final between
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Feb-2013
Now the Surfer is going to try its best to stay away from Shane Warne and chopper gags… but it is sorely tempted to after it hears the news that Warne is to fly in by helicopter to deliver the match ball for Saturday's FA Cup final between Liverpool and West Ham in Cardiff. Warne is the first Australian in history to have such honours. Lucky boy.
Full postHawkeye no match for wise old Bird
Mike Selvey is not a fan of the new rule that allows players to appeal against the umpire's decision
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Mike Selvey is not a fan of the new rule that allows players to appeal against the umpire's decision. Read his views on it in The Guardian.
The very notion of appealing against an umpire's decision, even in this artificially formalised way as advocated by the England coach Duncan Fletcher, is anathema, for the founding block of the game is the acceptance that the decision of the umpire is final.
Much to admire in Murali, a freak of nature
Who would you rather watch
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Who would you rather watch? Muralitharan, with all his energy and mystery, or Ashley Giles - I love you too, Ashley - plugging away over the wicket? Read Angus Fraser's tribute to Murali in The Independent.
Full postAussies have had results but England are the winners
Eight months have passed since England won the Ashes
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
Eight months have passed since England won the Ashes. Mark Nicholas sizes up the progress England and Australia have made since then.
And yet, for all the contrast of Australia's glorious season at home and England's patchy winter away, it may just be England who have made the most progress. Had the team who returned the Ashes continued together in Pakistan and India we would be none the wiser as to the quality of the resources in reserve.
Thank heavens for Alastair Cook
England began the summer with a powerful performance against an insipid Sri Lankan attack
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
England began the summer with a powerful performance against an insipid Sri Lankan attack. They ended the first day at Lord's on 318 for 3. Read what the papers had to say about it.
Alastair Cook scored 89 in his first Test at home and Rick Broadbent pays tribute in The Times. And Steve James praises himfor the way he played Muttiah Muralitharan.
Forget the swashbuckling strokeplay that was the hallmark of England’s assault on the front pages last summer. Cook is old school, the sort of man who plays what Boycott would call “proper creekit”.
"The open-topped bus ride around Trafalgar Square was a joyous moment in history, but if these things are graded by magnitude of achievement, England's reward for beating Sri Lanka will be a gentle spin in a milk float down Marylebone Road." Martin Johnson sums it up in The Telegraph.
Full postMuralitharan magic spells threat to England
In a few hours, the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's will get underway, the earliest ever start to an English season
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
In a few hours, the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Lord's will get underway, the earliest ever start to an English season. Christopher Martin-Jenkins writes in The Times that it presents the home team — and Andrew Flintoff in particular — with a great opportunity.
But Jonathan Agnew writes in his column for BBC that while it is tempting - it would be foolish - to write Sri Lanka off in this series.
Can this English season sustain the enthusiasm created by the Ashes in 2005? Mike Selvey feels it can.
There may be an element of risk attached to giving four players home debuts in the same match but it is in England's long-term interest to select Alastair Cook, Liam Plunkett, Sajid Mahmood and Monty Panesar, says Angus Fraser in The Independent.
Full postSchool's out as Warne turns on the magic
Scandals and regular tabloid appearances never seem to erode Shane Warne's mastery on the field, with England seeking his divine help to arrest their legspin woes
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
Scandals and regular tabloid appearances never seem to erode Shane Warne's mastery on the field, with England seeking his divine help to arrest their legspin woes. And no better way than to start with young kids in the 'Spin to Win' programme, as Derek Pringle elaborates in The Telegraph.
When he demonstrates the grip, the three-quarter size ball looks vulnerable as he clamps it into his powerful right hand. For the last 15 years, cricket balls around the world have been squeezed, exhorted and spun with such ferocity from that hand that it should look deformed.
Chappell — A man of ideas
It would be impossible to accurately describe Greg Chappell with just a single adjective, observes Rohit Brijnath
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
It would be impossible to accurately describe Greg Chappell with just a single adjective, observes Rohit Brijnath. In an interview to The Hindu, Chappell gives his views on the current crop of players and what lies ahead.
Some people see Greg Chappell as preacher of a fine cricketing gospel. Some contend he's a snake-oil salesman. Some say he deserves credit, some say he grabs it.