***Official*** Sri Lanka in Australia 2012/2013

[Burgey]

Sanga, Jayawardene, Samaraweera failing again.

Day and a half in the field a bit too much for them these days, or would the same thing have happened had they batted first?

Either way, SL's batting has started at Mathews lately. Aus are well on top but will have to be patient tomorrow as it is a pretty flat deck and the tail can bat.

They were on and off a bit for rain today tbf.

 

[Flem274*]

Mathews to ton up if the rest can hang around long enough.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Declaration proving a good move. Big three in the sheds is a fantastic result.

Err no. Just no.

****witted move regardless of what happens afterwards.

 

[Justo]

Nothing wrong with the declaration when you consider there's supposed to be odd showers for most of the rest of the Test and our bowlers have struggled to take 20 wickets recently(albeit due to rain or injuries though).

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah I normally agree with Scaly when it comes to declarations but with the weather so uncertain I'm perfectly happy with a 450 declaration on this occasion.

 

[centurymaker]

Yeah I normally agree with Scaly when it comes to declarations but with the weather so uncertain I'm perfectly happy with a 450 declaration on this occasion.

yea
i too thought it was a brilliant decision precisely because of the doubtful weather..

 

[uvelocity]

A few points so far today:
- Huss loves batting against these lil Sri Lankans
- We declared too early, this is a great time for batting
- Karinaratne looks very good
- cant wait to watch Sid.

tasting

 

[NUFAN]

tasting

Not even UvelocitY.

Nothing wrong with being 6/510 declared and then having your opponents 2/42 at stumps on day 2 of a Test match.

That last wicket of Samaraweera really tipped the game firmly in Australia's balance though it has to be said.

 

[uvelocity]

#nevertasting*

*tsarchasm

 

[M0rphin3]

Pup WAG. Haven't seen such an aggressive declaration in an opener in ages.

Tipping Mathews and Prasanna to grind it out tomorrow though. Dilshan might most likely get out early tomorrow.

 

[quincywagstaff]

This has been as dreary a Test so far as the last time SL toured Oz in 07/08. Like back then, they seem mentally defeated before the series began, hence them being so passive in the field.

The dreariness not helped by the usual non-atmosphere at a Hobart Test. Unless SL show something for the rest of the match this will impact on the crowds for the rest of the series - Boxing Day could bring less than 50,000.

From Oz perspective, not much can be read for tougher opposition to come but they've done what they had to do very well in all departments.

 

[quincywagstaff]

Pup WAG. Haven't seen such an aggressive declaration in an opener in ages.

Tipping Mathews and Prasanna to grind it out tomorrow though. Dilshan might most likely get out early tomorrow.

Australia did similarish declarations in opening Tests versus WI at Gabba and Pakistan at MCG, both 09/10. Reckon they're all done when captain can sense other side just going through motions and this will reflect in their batting.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

This has been as dreary a Test so far as the last time SL toured Oz in 07/08. Like back then, they seem mentally defeated before the series began, hence them being so passive in the field.

The dreariness not helped by the usual non-atmosphere at a Hobart Test. Unless SL show something for the rest of the match this will impact on the crowds for the rest of the series - Boxing Day could bring less than 50,000.

From Oz perspective, not much can be read for tougher opposition to come but they've done what they had to do very well in all departments.

I'll be very disappointed if SL sit out on the fence the whole series or as you mentioned if it's the case of being mentally defeated before the series. They are coming off a test defeat all right but Australia too are not sitting happy with all aspects. The conditions, Clarke/Hussey factor, SL top guns not clicking together giving Australia the edge but surely thought SL would show more fight, still early days though.

 

[centurymaker]

I doubt anymore than 40K will turn up on Boxing day.

 

[AlanJLegend]

As as Tasmanian, I have to say I am somewhat embarassed about our attendance to this test. The first day had 6200-odd and most of them were school children. Fair enough it was a weekday, everybody will come on the weekend right?

Yesterday there was about 3000, definitely no more than 4000. It is an absolute joke. It can be said 'the weather drove people away', but that is a poor excuse; if somebody really likes cricket they can stop being a ****ing ***** and just suck it up. I guess the low crowds are influenced by lack of Ponting and relatively little interest in SL (although Hobart has a pretty big Sri Lankan community, where were they? I only saw maybe half a dozen Sri Lankans in the crowd).

But surely the biggest killers are the entry cost and T20; it cost me $100 for a general admission student concession for a 5 day pass. Sure, I don't mind paying that. But I can imagine for a family wanting to sit in the stands plus having to buy the obligatory chips, Milo Scoopshake and miniature bat it is going to be a very expensive day. And honestly, why bother spending $200 for 1 day at the test when you can take the kids to the Hurricanes games in the next couple of weeks?

So yes, I am a bit disappointed. Firstly that prices are pretty ridiculous (eg. the bronze seating stand can hold around 150 people I believe; after the tea session I counted 18). Just make it all general admission except perhaps for one gold area, and reduce the cost of entry. People might actually come. But I am also disappointed at a lot of the Tasmanian community for not bothering to come along. It is because of you people that we are the laughing stock of Australia when it comes to test attendance, and it will be partially your fault when we stop getting test matches here.

[/rant]

 

[straw man]

This has been as dreary a Test so far as the last time SL toured Oz in 07/08. Like back then, they seem mentally defeated before the series began, hence them being so passive in the field.

Don't know what's wrong with SL (test) side at the moment but mentally defeated is correct. I was surprised how easily they rolled over in their last series when NZ managed to apply some pressure - particularly second innings second test where there wasn't any real assistance for the seam bowlers but the SL top order were mentally gone already.

With decline/retirement of senior players wouldn't be surprised if SL slip to 8th in tests in next couple of years. Poor old Angelo Mathews is going to be left as captain, best batsman, bowler and bus driver. Hope there are some good players coming through.

Hopefully a couple of their big 3 batsmen can find a way to make this series competitive.

 

[Burgey]

This has been as dreary a Test so far as the last time SL toured Oz in 07/08. Like back then, they seem mentally defeated before the series began, hence them being so passive in the field.

The dreariness not helped by the usual non-atmosphere at a Hobart Test. Unless SL show something for the rest of the match this will impact on the crowds for the rest of the series - Boxing Day could bring less than 50,000.

From Oz perspective, not much can be read for tougher opposition to come but they've done what they had to do very well in all departments.

Lol a Melbournian criticising some place else for being dreary.

 

[Burgey]

As as Tasmanian, I have to say I am somewhat embarassed about our attendance to this test. The first day had 6200-odd and most of them were school children. Fair enough it was a weekday, everybody will come on the weekend right?

Yesterday there was about 3000, definitely no more than 4000. It is an absolute joke. It can be said 'the weather drove people away', but that is a poor excuse; if somebody really likes cricket they can stop being a ****ing ***** and just suck it up. I guess the low crowds are influenced by lack of Ponting and relatively little interest in SL (although Hobart has a pretty big Sri Lankan community, where were they? I only saw maybe half a dozen Sri Lankans in the crowd).

But surely the biggest killers are the entry cost and T20; it cost me $100 for a general admission student concession for a 5 day pass. Sure, I don't mind paying that. But I can imagine for a family wanting to sit in the stands plus having to buy the obligatory chips, Milo Scoopshake and miniature bat it is going to be a very expensive day. And honestly, why bother spending $200 for 1 day at the test when you can take the kids to the Hurricanes games in the next couple of weeks?

So yes, I am a bit disappointed. Firstly that prices are pretty ridiculous (eg. the bronze seating stand can hold around 150 people I believe; after the tea session I counted 18). Just make it all general admission except perhaps for one gold area, and reduce the cost of entry. People might actually come. But I am also disappointed at a lot of the Tasmanian community for not bothering to come along. It is because of you people that we are the laughing stock of Australia when it comes to test attendance, and it will be partially your fault when we stop getting test matches here.

[/rant]

No you're not. SL never draws well in Australia, largely because they've never won here. They don't draw huge anywhere. If you had a SA test you'd have for decent crowds, but the grounds in Perth and Brisbane were hardly overflowing.

 

[AndyZaltzHair]

Nigel Llong had to pull off one random shocker, terrible no ball call

 

[Noble One]

Test changes if Hilfenhaus cannot bowl again.

Starc bowling filth not helping.