*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka

[Brett Dale]

From cricinfo.

10.45 Play will start in 45 minutes, at 11.30. We will get a minimum of 79 overs.

Dan: "The weather argument is the same as NZ had last year with Dunedin. We had the majority of a test rained out against the Windies. That's just the way it goes. Look for Patel to score a magnificent 20-30 today once we get underway."

Praveen: "This match was originally scheduled to be played at Colombo but NZ cricket board requested it to be played at Galle(maybe hoping for some rain).I live in Colombo and we haven't had much rain here at all lately."

 

[Flem274*]

from cricinfo.

10.45 play will start in 45 minutes, at 11.30. We will get a minimum of 79 overs.

Dan: "the weather argument is the same as nz had last year with dunedin. We had the majority of a test rained out against the windies. That's just the way it goes. Look for patel to score a magnificent 20-30 today once we get underway."

praveen: "this match was originally scheduled to be played at colombo but nz cricket board requested it to be played at galle(maybe hoping for some rain).i live in colombo and we haven't had much rain here at all lately."

 

[straw man]

at McIntosh against the short ball. Thushura and Kalusekara are decent but not exactly express. I really wouldn't want to be McIntosh against a real quick on a fast pitch.

 

[Flem274*]

TMac is pretty good when its not short tbh. Pity his early foot movement will make him quite hit and miss, plus his current short ball technique, its gonna make his chances for a test career interesting.

Get a proper hook/pull though, and I can see him being useful for one big score a season and lots of 30s, which if there's no one better, I guess we'll have to take for the time being.

Patel was feeling sick apparently, so there's a new perspective on his crappy bowling.

 

[Flem274*]

at McIntosh against the short ball. Thushura and Kalusekara are decent but not exactly express. I really wouldn't want to be McIntosh against a real quick on a fast pitch.

Fidel Edwards and co. gave him a fright.

 

[Craig]

TMac is pretty good when its not short tbh. Pity his early foot movement will make him quite hit and miss, plus his current short ball technique, its gonna make his chances for a test career interesting.

Get a proper hook/pull though, and I can see him being useful for one big score a season and lots of 30s, which if there's no one better, I guess we'll have to take for the time being.

Patel was feeling sick apparently, so there's a new perspective on his crappy bowling.

Shaun Tait would have for him breakfast, lunch, and tea. Go Jeets though, 23* and the partnership is up to 41.

 

[Flem274*]

Shaun Tait would have for him breakfast, lunch, and tea. Go Jeets though, 23* and the partnership is up to 41.

Haha, he would if he bowled consistently short. If He bowled full then its a bit more even.

But yeah, Guptill/How/Watling>>McIntosh until he sorts that short ball out. They might not have the records to show for it, but based on what they've got skill and technique wise they're more likely to have a successful career.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't rate you McIntosh, but well played.

 

[straw man]

Oh well, had to happen. Well done to Patel on a decent innings - has always looked to have some ability and can see him scoring a few more runs for NZ the way he's batting now.

Critical period now with Taylor in - think the next hour or two will set this test on a path to either a draw or an SL win.

 

[Craig]

If we lose a wicket before lunch, I might just put my hand through my monitor.

 

[Hurricane]

Patel was feeling sick apparently, so there's a new perspective on his crappy bowling.

I have been thinking about his crappy bowling. At least on day two when I was watching. He had ok control. He put the ball in ok areas. And yes he went for plenty but he didn't actually do much wrong. One full toss I think. I just think against batsman of that quality you need to be able to do more with the ball either in the air or off the pitch.

He is just very predictable and has no response when the batsman start going after him. I remember Dimitri Mascarenas hitting him for 3 or 4 sixes in a row in a 20/20 game once.

So basically I am saying his needs more drift, dip, or spin to his deliveries.

But agree with you that at the end of the day his bowling was ineffective.

 

[James]

Don't really understand all the hate on McIntosh.

He's a fighter and just what we need at the top of the order I reckon. Yes, he has flaws, but there needs to be at least one batsman in the top order who's prepared to grind it out.

 

[straw man]

If we lose a wicket before lunch, I might just put my hand through my monitor.

Haha, you forget that Taylor usually goes out after lunch.

 

[Pratters]

McIntosh last two seasons -

2007-08 (New Zealand) 8 13 0 549 268 42.23 1 2 5
2008-09 (New Zealand) 12 19 1 792 191 44.00 3 2 9

Mid 40s is not bad in NZ FC and his conversion rate is superb. 4 50s and 4 centuries with a career conversion rate of 15 50s and 14 100s! That's promise for you.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Mid 40s is not bad in NZ FC and his conversion rate is superb. 4 50s and 4 centuries with a career conversion rate of 15 50s and 14 100s! That's promise for you.

Shame he's got such a pathetic conversion rate of making it past single-figures. That's his problem; he's extremely vulnerable early on to pretty much any delivery you care to send down. If he gets his eye in, however, then he is liable to make you pay. Slowly.

 

[Meridio]

Shame he's got such a pathetic conversion rate of making it past single-figures. That's his problem; he's extremely vulnerable early on to pretty much any delivery you care to send down. If he gets his eye in, however, then he is liable to make you pay. Slowly.

Yeah, this. His first-class record says it all - 14 hundreds and 15 fifties, including IIRC three double tons, yet only averaging 33.

Anyway, very happy with that session. Game still very much in the balance though. If we have one of our trademark shocker sessions the game could be effectively lost by tea. Taylor and Ryder the keys as per usual, and if McIntosh hangs in there then that's a bonus.

Btw Heath, am looking for a club in Wellington - you seem to know a fair bit about the cricket down here, any pointers? See my first post in the Introduce Yourself thread in OT for details.

 

[Pratters]

Yeah, this. His first-class record says it all - 14 hundreds and 15 fifties, including IIRC three double tons, yet only averaging 33.

That's because of his failings in previous seasons prior to the last two seasons. Last two seasons, he has been very good.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Btw Heath, am looking for a club in Wellington - you seem to know a fair bit about the cricket down here, any pointers? See my first post in the Introduce Yourself thread in OT for details.

Yes - I can give you pointers. I'll check out "Introduce Yourself" and send you a PM.

 

[Flem274*]

Slog sweep out now.

 

[straw man]

I have been thinking about his crappy bowling. At least on day two when I was watching. He had ok control. He put the ball in ok areas. And yes he went for plenty but he didn't actually do much wrong. One full toss I think. I just think against batsman of that quality you need to be able to do more with the ball either in the air or off the pitch.

He is just very predictable and has no response when the batsman start going after him. I remember Dimitri Mascarenas hitting him for 3 or 4 sixes in a row in a 20/20 game once.

So basically I am saying his needs more drift, dip, or spin to his deliveries.

But agree with you that at the end of the day his bowling was ineffective.

Generally agree on Patel. Though found it interesting that Saqlain was quoted with some fairly high praise of Patel recently. Hopefully his bowling is a lot better the rest of the tour and we can put this down as due to feeling like crap.

Also he's still pretty young. Will be interesting to see if he develops and holds onto the second test spinner spot, or if someone like Beard or Nethula improves and overtakes him.

Taylor dropped and then gets out the slog-sweep. Hrmmmm.