***Official**** Sri Lanka in New Zealand 2014/2015

[wellAlbidarned]

Sanga made the adjustments I was talking about in the last match against Boult - batting on off stump, leaving anything outside off and waiting for Boult to lose patience and put them on his pads so he can work it away. That's the reason it appears tight, Sanga has taken away some shot options to limit danger.

Boult's biggest problem as an international test cricketer is patience - he's constantly trying to bowl wicket taking balls, instead of simply putting pressure on the batsman

He's been the opposite so far. He's building plenty of pressure but he isn't bowling the wicket taking tempter balls on a driving length.

 

[viriya]

Sanga looking good for a ton here.. Since Boult's spell is probably over he will need to get a peach or play a rash shot to **** it up now imo (not to jinx it).

 

[YorksLanka]

think we need to just take it hour by hour first at this stage, small chunks and all that...

 

[Blocky]

He's been the opposite so far. He's building plenty of pressure but he isn't bowling the wicket taking tempter balls on a driving length.

Not the match I'm watching - he's bowling back of a length trying to entice the edge, pushing the full ball up once every couple of overs, but tending to drift onto the pads where he's worked away. The best thing he could be doing against Sanga is channel outside off stump like McGrath used to bowl and make him look for runs. But he's drifting into the pads too often for Sanga to feel pressured.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Excellent length from Doug.

 

[viriya]

Not the match I'm watching - he's bowling back of a length trying to entice the edge, pushing the full ball up once every couple of overs, but tending to drift onto the pads where he's worked away. The best thing he could be doing against Sanga is channel outside off stump like McGrath used to bowl and make him look for runs. But he's drifting into the pads too often for Sanga to feel pressured.

Agreed that leg side ball is giving away the pressure.. but I think Sanga has tightened his defenses since last test like you said. Impressive how quickly he's adapted so far.

Also, the pitch looks much better for batting than yesterday - SL would want to make the runs while it's good.

 

[viriya]

Now double it.

 

[YorksLanka]

another lovely shot from Sanga, not quite as nice as the one to get his 50 but still lovely to watch...

 

[Blocky]

Smithy already missing Wagner... not as much as dare I say McCullum probably will be in 10-15 overs.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Not the match I'm watching - he's bowling back of a length trying to entice the edge, pushing the full ball up once every couple of overs, but tending to drift onto the pads where he's worked away. The best thing he could be doing against Sanga is channel outside off stump like McGrath used to bowl and make him look for runs. But he's drifting into the pads too often for Sanga to feel pressured.

No point arguing if we're watching two different games with two different boults

 

[Blocky]

Agreed that leg side ball is giving away the pressure.. but I think Sanga has tightened his defenses since last test like you said. Impressive how quickly he's adapted so far.

Also, the pitch looks much better for batting than yesterday - SL would want to make the runs while it's good.

Wouldn't expect any less from the worlds best and an all time great batsman, like I said during the first match, McCullum played brilliantly but outside of that, the match was pretty close. This game has shown that, with Sanga making the adjustments and also our batting not sticking to their task.

No point arguing if we're watching two different games with two different boults

Seems like someone else has seen the same Boult I've seen, meaning you're the odd one out.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Seems like someone else has seen the same Boult I've seen, meaning you're the odd one out.

I agree that it's been a problem in the past for boult, but not in this game. He's been too defensive in length to Sanga.

 

[viriya]

Chandi has been impressive.. not looking to hit every ball, leaving the bouncers well - a good 50+ knock will do wonders to his confidence and place in the side.

 

[Hurricane]

Need a breakthrough. Bracewell is bowling well

 

[Jono]

Chandimal sacrificing P Jayawardene a decent move lol

 

[Prince EWS]

Chandimal sacrificing P Jayawardene a decent move lol

I missed the last hour yesterday; what actually happened with that? Was Prasanna always going to bat six? Was Chandimal on the can? Or was it just tactical?

 

[viriya]

I missed the last hour yesterday; what actually happened with that? Was Prasanna always going to bat six? Was Chandimal on the can? Or was it just tactical?

"tactical"..

I think it's more that SL don't have much confidence that Chandimal can survive in tough conditions.. as it is he's done okish so probably not necessary.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think it's more that SL don't have much confidence that Chandimal can survive in tough conditions.. as it is he's done okish so probably not necessary.

I'd back him on that front moreso than PJ. Much more. Given they picked Dickwella ahead of him though they clearly don't rate him as highly as I do.

I could understand if they sent in an actual nightwatchman (not that any of the bowlers have good defensive techniques I suppose) but swapping #6 and #7 was weird.

 

[Howsie]

I really hate watching Neesham having to bowl.

 

[YorksLanka]

I'd back him on that front moreso than PJ. Much more. Given they picked Dickwella ahead of him though they clearly don't rate him as highly as I do.

I could understand if they sent in an actual nightwatchman (not that any of the bowlers have good defensive techniques I suppose) but swapping #6 and #7 was weird.

i wonder if they thought that as chandi is naturally a more attacking player, he may not have been able to curb his natural instincts and give his wicket away whereas PJ generally is a calmer player and would drop anchor?Not sure, just a thought..