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Sri Lanka tour

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scaly_piscine said:
PCR tests are largely false positives if you use the ridiculous number of cycles the UK generally uses (45). I won't go too much into the science, but basically each cycle doubles the amount of material and at 15 cycles everything tests negative and at 60 everything tests positive. PCR was never intended to be used for diagnostic work, it was more about general research into confirmed cases (of any disease).

England already had confirmed false positives during the South African tour. But I assume they've repeatedly checked with Moeen to avoid a repeat of that situation. I don't know why they're still using PCR, given the money slushing around in English cricket I'd have thought they'd be using lateral flow tests (LFT), which are more accurate and don't require being sent to a lab. Maybe they're just using PCR as an initial test until it coughs up a positive result, and then they confirm with LFT.

Anyway I didn't want to see Moeen playing anyway, been given far too many chances over the past 2-3 years.
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This isn't a case of false positives, that has already been made clear.
 

The Rat said:
I think this will be very hard for England, no real warm up cricket, in hotel rooms all day, straight into a test on spinning pitches

Won't be criticising any player too much whether I rate them or not, just happy to have it on. Hope people dont go over the top if someone gets a few ducks or something, its bound to happen to a few of them.
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Me to, just nice to have something to watch. Sri Lanka should be favourites given they've just played a series and wouldnt fancy us anyway without Stokes.
 
Jack Torrance said:
Me to, just nice to have something to watch. Sri Lanka should be favourites given they've just played a series and wouldnt fancy us anyway without Stokes.
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Aye its an important point that they have played 2 games, certainly helped England in the summer, they were more match fit.
 
Hmm yes Sri Lanka have played lately, where they were obliterated (by a team England beat 3-1) and had near half their team get injured - I don't know what the latest is with those players, obviously if a few are still down then it doesn't help. Mathews was already injured pre-SA and out of the squad according to Wisden. You're talking a batting line-up where the recognised batsmen are averaging mid 30s at best. It's like a West Indies team minus the raw talent and the ability to raise their Test game solely for England.

They're a very poor side, England won 3-0 last time - England should have gotten stronger and SL weaker since. England got to bat first in every match of that series which certainly helps, but anything less than a won series is a disappointment. They should be queuing up to play this lot.
 
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Some green deck that!
chunkylover53 said:
Will be interesting to see if Pope plays, considering he isn’t officially in the squad
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Sure I was reading that Pope is not near fit enough to field though. Might be wrong.

Burns not being hear is a risk for him, albeit the right call for him.

If Lawrence or Bairstow scored a few 100s or someit, and the openers do OK, then its a dilemma.

I am no experts but you listen to most of the journos and sky lot, and they sound unsure as Burns and Sibley as a pair, as they are too similar.

With Stokes and Pope 100% coming back in, it would be hard to leave out Lawrence or Bairstow for India if they were exceptional

I guess the trouble is they are not number 3s, nor suited to that in England, although could be in India

Good to see us have some genuine options for once though.
scaly_piscine said:
Hmm yes Sri Lanka have played lately, where they were obliterated (by a team England beat 3-1) and had near half their team get injured - I don't know what the latest is with those players, obviously if a few are still down then it doesn't help. Mathews was already injured pre-SA and out of the squad according to Wisden. You're talking a batting line-up where the recognised batsmen are averaging mid 30s at best. It's like a West Indies team minus the raw talent and the ability to raise their Test game solely for England.

They're a very poor side, England won 3-0 last time - England should have gotten stronger and SL weaker since. England got to bat first in every match of that series which certainly helps, but anything less than a won series is a disappointment. They should be queuing up to play this lot.
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I dont agree with the last paragraph at all mind

England were exceptional in that series, and really played an unusual why for a touring team on spinning pitches, so aggressive and busy, and they had an inform spin attack, better than their current one, and Stokes also took vital wickets in that series when it went flat.

No way our XI for this series is a strong as the 3-0

One of England;s best wins in recent times for me that. It never happens.
 
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TopCat said:
Don't worry everyone, because apparently Jonny has "nothing to prove" at test level
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:lol: oh god

My post above about not being critical of players having not played in months, in a tight as fuck bio secure bubble, with almost no practice

It got a few likes

bit this joker goes straight on the attack after 1 warm up game on a green pitch

I give up, what is wrong with people? :lol:

Reckon I will avoid this thread during the test match, probs best for all concerned!
 
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