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

[Hurricane]

But my 'like' clicking finger is getting tired.

haha

 

[Days of Grace]

Nice of you to admit that you know you're wrong and argue only because you're personally attached to your messages. I on the other hand am not. Goodbye.

Your character assassination of Taylor indicates that you're emotionally invested to the point of needing help.

I dare you not to reply to this in order to get the last word.

 

[Moss]

Woke up to find the score 426/5. KW and BJ, such legends. Particularly pleased for Watling as it's been a slightly lean season for him and he doesn't look to be in the frame for the WC.

Happy with the declaration. While it's a stretch to call it bold as the percentages are all with NZ, and would be annoying if SL chase it down (no arguments, they would totally deserve it if they do), it's great that everyone's kept interested going into the 5th day. Refreshing change from the don't-give-the-opposition-even-a-sniff approach of MSD, Mahela and Graeme Smith among others.

Also seems like Baz has been looking at the bigger picture and is determined to leave behind some sort of legacy for NZ . The declarations at Bridgetown and Dubai kept those tests watchable till the end, though NZ weren't ahead in the series in both cases.

 

[Hurricane]

I wouldn't have made this declaration. It would shatter us if we lost from here after that partnership, Then again I was always happy with 1-0 vs 2-0

That wicket though before close will dampen SLs ability to chase because I doubt the night watchman will be able to go at a good clip tomorrow.

BJ Watling is a brilliant servant of New Zealand Cricket. What a man. What a partnership. I learned things about how one constructs a test match innings that I never knew before. At times the scoring was pedestrian but that was deliberate. Either the new ball had just been taken or it was close to the end of a session. They paced the partnership brilliantly.
What a shame that Watling had to run off the field to put on his wicket keeping pads. The situation demanded that he and Kane walk off the field together unbeaten. I know they walked off the field together at the end of the days play but it wasn't the same thing.

Kane will play more aggressive innings than that in due course but he has entered into an elite club of Kiwis who have made double centuries in a test. And he belongs in that club. Kane will get a triple in his career.

A team really feels like a team when different guys put their hands up and I think we are getting that if you look over the course of the last few series. Well done on the days cricket Kane and BJ - over to you now the bowlers.

 

[Flem274*]

Baz has sort of left the door open but 390 is a tough 4th innings chase anywhere. They've already lost a wicket.

Did we really bowl Rudds? What was he like?

 

[YorksLanka]

woke up and seen the score- FFS- i watched the first hour last night and i worried that we may not get eitherof these two our as firstly, they are good players but secondly, Mathews seemed to go back to his usual weakness of letting the game drift aimlessly in the hope that something will happen. This is the reason we lost that series to Pakistan in the UAE also..This is where Mathews needs to improve on his captaincy by making something happen rather than just waiting for it to happen. Granted it was only the first hour i saw but i didnt see any innovative field placings/bowling changes or any pressure being put on either batsmen. Anyone tell me if this changed through the day or did we just allow NZ to canter? We have a challenge on our hands to not lose this match now but cant see any other result than a draw which doesnt heelp us..

 

[Hurricane]

Baz has sort of left the door open but 390 is a tough 4th innings chase anywhere. They've already lost a wicket.

Did we really bowl Rudds? What was he like?

Rudds is better than taylor but worse than Guptill.

 

[Howsie]

I think I've found the one thing I wholeheartedly agree with Blocky on -- Bracewell is a myth.

Three wickets, should've had four in the first innings. Give him a chance.

Kane and BJ legends. Doing ND proud, best day of test cricket in a long time.

 

[Maximas]

That wicket though before close will dampen SLs ability to chase because I doubt the night watchman will be able to go at a good clip tomorrow.

Prasad is poor, but he certainly scores at a fair clip, a solid start from Kaushal and a rapid-fire 30 odd from Prasad is doable

 

[Kippax]

 

[Hurricane]

Baz has sort of left the door open but 390 is a tough 4th innings chase anywhere. They've already lost a wicket.

This is going to be a nothing airy fairy post but here goes...

SL will have a crack at this target until they reach 3 down they may choose to shut up shop. But Sanga will go for it. Why settle for losing a series when they only need 345 in the last day. They will be legends if they do it but he is a legend. Their openers came out and were interested in keeping the scoreboard ticking over so they havn't dismissed this target. And the Mark Craig wicket was because they were thinking about being positive. Which speaks in favour of the sporting declaration I guess. All results are possible tomorrow. 340 may sound impossible on a day 5 pitch but this thing isn't going to break up in a hurry.

There we go warned you that would be all over the place.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Hurricane, you must be prepared to lose to win. Simple as that.

 

[Hurricane]

Hurricane, you must be prepared to lose to win. Simple as that.

Like I said winning this game is not such a priority that I am prepared to risk walking away from a series victory.

I could understand the declaration if the series score was 0-0

 

[hendrix]

I will absolutely concede that the karunaratne wicket was down to the sporting declaration. And yes, the declaration did enhance our chance of winning the test.

I just think 420 would've guaranteed not losing while still giving us a shot at the WI.

I appreciate the comments about Baz going for some type of legacy though.

 

[Hurricane]

I will absolutely concede that the karunaratne wicket was down to the sporting declaration. And yes, the declaration did enhance our chance of winning the test.

I just think 420 would've guaranteed not losing while still giving us a shot at the WI.

I appreciate the comments about Baz going for some type of legacy though.

If I could double like this post I would

 

[wellAlbidarned]

I will absolutely concede that the karunaratne wicket was down to the sporting declaration. And yes, the declaration did enhance our chance of winning the test.

I just think 420 would've guaranteed not losing while still giving us a shot at the WI.

I appreciate the comments about Baz going for some type of legacy though.

lol 420 [/maturethoughts]

 

[Flem274*]

Yeah going for the clean sweep when we don't need to after fighting back from the brink of losing sends a message. It's not a risky declaration either. 390 is a tough ask.

 

[Hurricane]

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

Our Heroes who have scored 200+ ever

 

[GGG]

unbelievable scorecard to make up to but why give them a sniff.

 

[Bahnz]

With all SRL's left handers, and the footmarks created by their right hand bowlers, Craig is now the crucial factor. If he bowls well tomorrow SRL won't get near 390.