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

[straw man]

I'm interested in whether Seifert is going to bat 5 this ODI series as a like-for-like Latham, or whether they're going to put Nicholls at 5 and perhaps put Seifert down at standard wicket-keeping spot 7 (with Neesham 6).

Nicholls great form might gloss over that he still probably shouldn't be in the ODI side, especially not batting at 6.

 

[Days of Grace]

What just happened? Latham hammered it on the pull shot. The fielder stopped it by the boundary and Latham's still on strike on 150.

EDIT: My bad, it was Nicholls on strike for the pull shot.

Well played anyway, Tommeh. Two doubles in consecutive tests? Not many others could have done that, save for the obvious.

 

[BeeGee]

I still don’t understand how this isn’t a bigger story. I know cricket reporting is rubbish in New Zealand but why is this never questioned anywhere.

I think the selectors see Southee as the designated death bowler. It's an important role and I'm not sure who the best bowlers are to perform it.

 

[Days of Grace]

I think the selectors see Southee as the designated death bowler. It's an important role and I'm not sure who the best bowlers are to perform it.

Boult is probably the best death bowler at the moment. Best opening bowler and best bowler in the middle overs as well.

Henry not being a good option post over 35 is a worry.

 

[Gnske]

So if Latham has the stamina for back to back doubles potentially, does he just lose his goddamn mind against good bowling after awhile?

 

[Flem274*]

he gave these guys a chance on 32. better sides are just far more ruthless, and capable of creating those chances in the first place. this won't be respectful, but this attack is nothing he hasn't seen in fc cricket. a wicket to wicket medium pacer, a straight up and down genuine quick, a pretend quick and a finger spinner is a very shield attack.

 

[Flem274*]

the slowest, swingiest, trolliest bowler (mathews) who hits good areas being the most dangerous bowler is also quintessential plunket shield

 

[straw man]

So if Latham has the stamina for back to back doubles potentially, does he just lose his goddamn mind against good bowling after awhile?

Might just be a Stephen Fleming - hopeless conversion rate from fifty to a hundred, but on the occasion that it clicks, well five of his lowly nine test centuries were 274*, 262, 202, 192 & 174*.

 

[Bahnz]

he gave these guys a chance on 32

Thanks Richard.

 

[Bahnz]

So if Latham has the stamina for back to back doubles potentially, does he just lose his goddamn mind against good bowling after awhile?

I think his physical stamina has always been fine. He was hitting big double hundreds in domestix back in 2013/14. It's the mental stamina where he's lacking. He just gets mentally exhausted keeping out attacks that are testing him consistently and eventually he cracks.

 

[Days of Grace]

Seems as if New Zealand had made 250-300 in their first dig, they would have had less chance of winning. Getting out with still a bit of day 1 to go along with the morning session really helped them (Boult's outstanding effort notwithstanding).

These grassy pitches turning into roady mcroad's might prompt captains in the future to declare at 100/6 midway through day 1, as in the days of sticky wickets.

 

[Gnske]

I think his physical stamina has always been fine. He was hitting big double hundreds in domestix back in 2013/14. It's the mental stamina where he's lacking. He just gets mentally exhausted keeping out attacks that are testing him consistently and eventually he cracks.

Something just cracks in his brain eh.

I know he's a veteran now, but hopefully soon (trademark) with more intense bullying of the lower teams he can discover bullying non-sub-continent teams is a greater joy for all viewers. I'd hate for him to be remembered as being like a regular Adam Voges but far less hungry.

 

[morgieb]

Seems as if New Zealand had made 250-300 in their first dig, they would have had less chance of winning. Getting out with still a bit of day 1 to go along with the morning session really helped them (Boult's outstanding effort notwithstanding).

These grassy pitches turning into roady mcroad's might prompt captains in the future to declare at 100/6 midway through day 1, as in the days of sticky wickets.

Do a Melbourne 1936 and reverse the batting order.

 

[Bahnz]

These grassy pitches turning into roady mcroad's might prompt captains in the future to declare at 100/6 midway through day 1, as in the days of sticky wickets.

I still don't think this is that much of a road. Good bounce and enough seam movement on offer, especially when the sun ducks behind the clouds. Sri Lanka have been out in the field for 3 successive days, their bowlers are knackered (and - Lakmal apart - ill suited to taking advantage of the conditions).

Having said that, I'd like NZ to declare with an hour and a quarter left to go, to try and take maximum toll before SL get a night of rest. It's not a total road, but it's definitely good for batting if you get in.

 

[Zinzan]

So NZ’s top 6 averages ( assuming BJ is at 6 are currently)

1) 42
2) 34
3) 51
4) 48
5) 41
6) 37


Which is a top 6 average of 42. Not quite reaching the heights of the great Indian & Aussie top 6s of the early to mid 2000s, but by NZ standards, it’s damn impressive.

Add to that 3 bowlers with 150+ wickets all averaging <30. Surely unprecedented for a NZ side!

 

[Bahnz]

Taylor now averages 46 on account of his being a bit **** in the last 12 months.

 

[TheBrand]

I think Seifert is in the ODI team as a backup opener if Munro turns to **** this season. Either that or just give Phillips a go I think.

 

[Bahnz]

If anyone in this team has earned a cheeky downhill skiing session it's Nicholls. His emergence as a genuine test-class replacement for McCullum is close to the biggest development for NZ in 2018.

 

[randycricfreak]

All doom and gloom for Sri Lanka this.

 

[straw man]

If anyone in this team has earned a cheeky downhill skiing session it's Nicholls. His emergence as a genuine test-class replacement for McCullum is close to the biggest development for NZ in 2018.

Yes well deserved and unlike a few grumbles with Latham, this is on the back of runs scored in far more difficult conditions in the last 18 months.

Gotta be wary of that downhill skiing though - get a solid burst into the veins like Taylor first did when WI toured in 13/14 and you could be an addict in no time.