*Official* Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2018/19

[straw man]

As per Cricinfo in September 2016

The fewest balls required to take five wickets in a Test match is 12, by Jacques Kallis in the course of his 5 for 21 for South Africa against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in October 2002. That just bettered a burst of 5 for 0 in 13 balls by Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis, also against Bangladesh, while taking 6 for 55 in Dhaka the previous season. Jim Laker's 9 for 37 in the first innings of the Ashes Test at Old Trafford in 1956 (which he finished with a record 19 for 90), also included a spell of 5 for 0 in 13 balls. The fastest five-for from the start of a bowling spell in a Test is 19 balls, set by Australia's Ernie Toshack against India in Brisbane in 1947-48, and equalled by Stuart Broad for England against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015.

So Boult now has the record with his first 5 wickets in 11 balls.

 

[thierry henry]

Why is Francis Payne 2 hours behind me at using google

 

[Bahnz]

Now that the suns out, this pitch has very few demons in it. Still good bounce, but I think NZ will need 400 to feel safe. Would be nice to see Raval finally go on today.

 

[morgieb]

Now that the suns out, this pitch has very few demons in it. Still good bounce, but I think NZ will need 400 to feel safe. Would be nice to see Raval finally go on today.

You'll get there easily. Lots of time and the lead is already 120 with all 10 wickets in hand.

 

[Bahnz]

Ugh, that was a hideous fend from Latham, lucky not to edge it. Short and wide, and rather than just leaving it, or playing a horizontal bat shot, he just pokes the bat out with zero foot movement. He'll never go on against top attacks unless he can eliminate that kind of trash from his game.

 

[straw man]

Could this be the day?

The day for
another Raval 40?

 

[Burgey]

The White Wasim!

 

[BeeGee]

Now get that ton, Jeet.

 

[straw man]

Total domination now. Bat all day tomorrow and then see if Sri Lanka can bat two days straight.

 

[Moss]

Waking up to this score, this is definitely one of the crazier test series in recent memory. Boult has made it a habit of producing at least one amazing spell per series (at least in NZ) but that's insane by any standard.

How valuable that Watling-Southee partnership is turning out to be.

 

[_Ed_]

Jeet.

 

[Bahnz]

Classic Ravs

 

[straw man]

Aww Jeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeet

 

[thierry henry]

Poor Jeet. Absolute nothing ball too

 

[straw man]

James Neesham and Doug Bracewell are back in New Zealand's ODI squad. Tim Seifert, meanwhile, is set to make his ODI debut with regular keeper Tom Latham rested.

James Neesham
Tim Seifert
Doug Bracewell

 

[straw man]

Wondered if I was missing something with Bracewell if they're thinking of him as an all-rounder to push De Grandhomme for the number 7 spot. But nope, 145 runs at 20.7 in the recently completed Ford Trophy season. Did average 40 the previous season but that was only 161 runs with a HS of 43.

So I don't get it unless Ian Smith was doing the selecting.

 

[Zinzan]

Haha Uncanny and on queue. I was just about to post a “What score will Raval be dismissed before 100” sweep!

Then I got distracted and just saw the update.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Wait Jeet Raval was born in Ahmedabad?!

 

[Blain]

Nice to see Seifert get the gloves, hope he's not down at 7 or 8. We need to see what he's got. Nicholls aint going anywhere by the looks of it, so hopefully he's 5, Seifert 6 and Neesham 7. I would have thought Bracewell is fighting Sodhi for the 4th bowling spot.

Will Young should be there IMO, @ 5 or opening with Guppy and Munnerz taking the attacking no 5 role.

 

[thierry henry]

Yo what’s happened to Mark Chapman?