*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2012

[Meridio]

Don't think I've seen a tour thread yet, so, given that the 20/20 is tomorrow, here one is.

Schedule:

Oct 30: Twenty20 international, Pallekele

Nov 1: 1st ODI, Pallekele (d/n)
Nov 4: 2nd ODI, Colombo (d/n)
Nov 6: 3rd ODI, Colombo (d/n)
Nov 10: 4th ODI, Hambantota (d/n)
Nov 12: 5th ODI, Hambantota (d/n)

Nov 17-21: 1st Test, Galle
Nov 25-29: 2nd Test, Colombo (SSC)

 

[Viscount Tom]

I'm lead to believe that 007 is the bowling coach while the team is out there anyone know if its a long term thing?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Is Vettori fit, seems to miss as many games as he plays these days.

 

[_Ed_]

I'm lead to believe that 007 is the bowling coach while the team is out there anyone know if its a long term thing?

Yep, appointed earlier this month. Haven't seen confirmation of how long the contract's for, but I would assume through to the next WC.

 

[Bahnz]

Is Vettori fit, seems to miss as many games as he plays these days.

Nope he's out, was injured in the t20 world champs.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Good to see the return of Bond.

Also Vaas will be the assistant bowling coach for Tests.

 

[Prince EWS]

I'm lead to believe that 007 is the bowling coach while the team is out there anyone know if its a long term thing?

In a weird way you could almost make the argument that it'd be better for NZ cricket if he stayed with CD, given how many promising bowlers they have coming through there. There's comparatively little Bond can do as a bowling coach for the more established players already in the national setup, although I guess NZC can call Small, Wheeler, Milne etc in to work with Bond if they want to anyway.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

In a weird way you could almost make the argument that it'd be better for NZ cricket if he stayed with CD, given how many promising bowlers they have coming through there. There's comparatively little Bond can do as a bowling coach for the more established players already in the national setup, although I guess NZC can call Small, Wheeler, Milne etc in to work with Bond if they want to anyway.

It's a very interesting point. Although Bond can always fine tune more established players but drilling a group from the very beginning staying with CD would benefit the guys tremendously too. On the other side, as Bond is very respected, presence of him in the national side will lift the entire unit I think.

 

[SteveNZ]

Hopefully there's a lot for Bond to work with in the national side and a lot he can improve on. Southee obviously made some good strides under Wright and those need to be continued. Bracewell did as well, but they've kept him back from the limited overs under the premise of action issues. Certainly he needs to address his no ball problem. Boult is new to Test cricket and shows promise, Wagner needs to learn to swing it conventionally regularly (and stop landing the ball on the shiny side and creating headaches for his fellow bowlers) while the likes of Milne, Small, McClenaghan, Wheeler etc may come through soon. Plus Bond's bowling nous when it comes to plans, different formats etc is just as vital as any technical talent.

So he's in the right place.

On another note, I'm surprised Vaas and Murali would agree to plot against their countrymen. A) Why aren't Sri Lanka getting these guys involved and B) We must be paying them reasonably well

 

[Prince EWS]

Vaas and the big wigs of Sri Lankan cricket don't exactly get along very well at the best of times, so I'm not surprised by that really.

 

[Hurricane]

So he's in the right place.

Good bowling coaches seem to have an impact on international teams. e.g. McDermott with his pitch it up advice and Alan Donald doing some good work with the black caps.

But yes I am sure CD will miss him.

 

[SteveNZ]

Vaas and the big wigs of Sri Lanka Cricket don't exactly get along very well at the best of times, so I'm not surprised by that really.

Ah really, there you go. Still a head-scratcher on Murali, the greatest wicket-taker of all time to not be used by his own country.

 

[Mike5181]

Bond/Vaas/Murali. If the players can't improve under them, they will never improve.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Play is unlikely, raining around

 

[Daemon]

Very odd lineup from the Kiwis. Don't think Watling and Oram should be playing.

 

[Mike5181]

Very odd lineup from the Kiwis. Don't think Watling and Oram should be playing.

Oram hasn't been successful in T20Is but at least he's a useful lower-order batsman, is used to these conditions and has bowled well in Sri Lanka recently. Guys like Ellis shouldn't be close to the team.

 

[Howsie]

Oram has bowled well in Sri Lanka recently? I must of been watching a different world cup.

 

[Prince EWS]

Oram has bowled well in Sri Lanka recently? I must of been watching a different world cup.

He means the SLPL.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Think Mike is referring to SLPL

Edit: PEWS beats me

 

[Howsie]

He means the SLPL.

Which counts for about as much as Rob Nicol's 80 he scored in the hotel lobby after practice was cancelled yesterday.