*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka Thread

[Kiwi]

Wiseman smashed a quick 17 or something around that of about 7 balls. NZ have to be happy with that but I'm sure they are disappointed that light stopped play.

I would have liked to see them bowl a few more overs at them.

 

[Tim]

I think NZ will be happy enough, they got Attapattu and that will really dent the Sri Lankan's confidence going into the 3rd day.

 

[masterblaster]

Super stuff by Fleming. Its been a while since he has shown his class as a batsman.

What a great start by New Zealand, and what a huge achievement it will be if they beat Sri Lanka on their home ground.

 

[Tim]

I know its early days in the Sri Lankan tour but for the Indian Series in October i'd like to see NZ make some changes as I think this team could give India a decent run for their money in the test series.

Richardson
McIntosh
Fleming
Astle
Nicol/Ryder
Styris
Hart
Vettori
Bond
Butler
Mason

Subs: Oram, Adams, Tuffey, McMillan, Wiseman

Its highly unlikely that that exact team will be picked because NZ may decide on 2 spinners or want the all-round ability of Oram or Adams in the mix.

Im all for having 4 specialist bowlers & then perhaps the 2 part-timers in Astle & Styris..Ryder & Nicol are both handy bowlers aswell.

I think NZ need to look past someone like Horne now, he's probably close to calling it quits and when you see someone like Ryder blazing big scores in club & first class cricket you can't really go past him or even Rob Nicol who has a good first class record.

Don't even get me started on Tim McIntosh, I can't believe he's not already over in Sri Lanka.

 

[Tim]

Funnily enough the 3 highest personal test scores by a New Zealander:

Martin Crowe 299, Stephen Fleming 274* & Bryan Young 267* have all been against Sri Lanka...hmmm.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I know its early days in the Sri Lankan tour but for the Indian Series in October i'd like to see NZ make some changes as I think this team could give India a decent run for their money in the test series.

Richardson
McIntosh
Fleming
Astle
Nicol/Ryder
Styris
Hart
Vettori
Bond
Butler
Mason

I think that team will struggle against India, rather than give them a run for their money. There's too much inexperience. Perhaps, McMillan instead of Nicol/Ryder.

If they were blooding such players as McIntosh/Ryder/Nicol now, it would have been better, but they would probably still struggle.

 

[Tim]

But look what happened with The West Indies side, that was a fairly youthful one...i just don't want to see Horne, Sinclair etc waste positions.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

But the West Indies side lost the Test series convincingly.

Also, Sarwan, Hinds and Gayle had all played a fair few Tests and ODI's convincly.

Don't get me wrong...I see where you're coming from, but it may be better to approach their introduction differently. Perhaps a less......tough tour.

 

[Tim]

Unfortunately then, NZ have a very tough schedule coming up with away to India, & then home to Pakistan & South Africa.

Im pretty sure somewhere along the line, several of the players i've mentioned will debut in one of these series.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

At home is the better option. Certainly not in India.

 

[Kiwi]

Well I don't think you are going to see alot of change in the team. Maybe you are going to See Martin or Patel ( the two spinners touring as net bowlers) in instead of Wiseman and Astle replacing Horne/Sinclair/Jones.

I think if they were going to play some of these guy overseas then they would be on this tour.

 

[Tim]

NZ need to get rid of Jayawardene & Tilakaratne quickly because they are starting to gain some momentum...NZ just took the new ball and Tuffey gets hit for 2 fours.

I'd say the heat is starting to be a telling factor on the some of the NZ players by now.

 

[Kiwi]

Well I think that Tuffey has bowled better than Bond. They seem to get runs off him so easily(unless he is playing AUS).

 

[Tim]

Oram gets Jayawardene in the 1st over of the day & Sri Lanka are still 49 runs away from avoiding the follow on, a tense session coming up as Kalu is their last recognised batsman.

 

[Kiwi]

Reports coming out of SL from Radio sport say that NZ may not inforce the follow on anyway. They say if you are going to chase 200 odd last then forget it.

 

[Tim]

What do you mean?
chasing 200 will be easy or hard?

 

[Kiwi]

Hard... They say you DON'T want to be batting last

 

[Tim]

Well it seems to be fine at the moment because Kalu has just cracked a 50 off 60 balls.

 

[Tim]

104.6 Styris to Kaluwitharana, five runs, cut to point and Tuffey makes a mess of the stop then over reacts by throwing wide of the stumps for an overthrown four

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i'd say that NZ are starting to lose the plot in the field after a day & a half in the heat. Tuffey gifting 5 runs to Sri Lanka.

 

[Cloete]

LOL! !!! Tuffey u idiot