*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka

[Athlai]

Good effort Ryder

 

[aravinda1234]

I think kiwis achieved so much as a nation in International cricket considering their lesser population.

We Sri Lankans have similar population to Australia but our sports facilities are very limited in rural areas. Also the civil war in last 30 years had a big negative impact on sports in the country. So we also should be proud what we achieved in cricket.

Herath n Prasad will replace Mendis n Kula in the next match.

 

[Athlai]

Good stuff from Captain Amazing. If these two can take it to tea we may still be in with a shot.

 

[aravinda1234]

Pakistan was not done by spin the pitches were hardly spinner friendly. Thats what I am saying Pakistan lost due to lack of bottle and consistency a side which does not lack in this department can overcome Lanka in Lanka. I will not be surprised if India or SA get a series win there.

 

[James]

Sri Lanka are always under-estimated I tend to think. They've got one of the best batting lineups in world cricket and easily the strongest spin attack going around. Very tough to beat in their own conditions.

We were always going to struggle. I do think it's make or break time in Oram's career and the way Vettori is going now, I reckon he could push up on the order giving us the option of playing another specialist bowler or batsman.

 

[Bahnz]

I love Daniel Vettori so much. I would let him have his wicked way with me, if he wanted.

 

[Pigeon]

Prasanna is such a welcome throwback to the pre-Gilchristian days when keepers were in the team for their keeping skills. Easily the best in the world right now

 

[Zinzan]

Glad to see McCullum using the sweep-shot against Murali, a better option than poking & prodding. Hopefully the other batsmen take note.

 

[TT Boy]

Drop Oram, stick Vettori at 7. Oram might still have a test career but he is no longer a force with the ball and he can't play spin, so he shouldn't be touring Sri Lanka or the subcontinent. Get another bowler in there.

 

[Athlai]

Drop Oram, stick Vettori at 7. Oram might still have a test career but he is no longer a force with the ball and he can't play spin, so he shouldn't be touring Sri Lanka or the subcontinent. Get another bowler in there.

Baz - 6
Franklin - 7
Vettori - 8

 

[Craig]

Wish the non-ill batsmen could HTFU like Vettori has.

 

[James]

Baz - 6
Franklin - 7
Vettori - 8

Please no, Franklin isn't a No 7. He's a No 8 or 9.

Needs to improve his game at Test level before we put him at 7.

Take a look at his Test career to date - James Franklin - Test - Batting Performance Innings by Innings

If anyone should go up the order, its got to be Vettori IMO.

 

[inbox24]

Vettori showing the balls the other bats don't have.

 

[Bahnz]

Please no, Franklin isn't a No 7. He's a No 8 or 9.

Needs to improve his game at Test level before we put him at 7.

Take a look at his Test career to date - James Franklin - Test - Batting Performance Innings by Innings

If anyone should go up the order, its got to be Vettori IMO.

I agree. So often by the time that Vettori comes into bat, things are a lost cause. On occasions like today, or the Bangladesh test last year, when he comes in higher up the order, he's shown he has the ability to really make a serious contribution to our batting, not just by making runs, but also by glueing or middle order together. I would be quite happy to bat him at number 6, above McCullum and Oram/Franklin, and keep him there for a year to see how he goes.

EDIT: Kiss of death, I know.

 

[Athlai]

Please no, Franklin isn't a No 7. He's a No 8 or 9.

Needs to improve his game at Test level before we put him at 7.

Take a look at his Test career to date - James Franklin - Test - Batting Performance Innings by Innings

If anyone should go up the order, its got to be Vettori IMO.

The Test batting performance is entirely irrelevant in only his recent matches has Franklin Mk II batted and he didn't do well (still better than Oram). Upon injury he worked on his batting and is now a completely new man, just check out his last FC season he was probably the best batsman in all forms of the game. Definitely good enough to be a Test 7, just needs to be allowed to establish himself in the team instead of knee jerk decisions to drop him.

 

[Athlai]

I agree. So often by the time that Vettori comes into bat, things are a lost cause. On occasions like today, or the Bangladesh test last year, when he comes in higher up the order, he's shown he has the ability to really make a serious contribution to our batting, not just by making runs, but also by glueing or middle order together. I would be quite happy to bat him at number 6, above McCullum and Oram/Franklin, and keep him there for a year to see how he goes.

Could work but wouldn't put him there if he isn't comfortable doing it.

 

[Craig]

FFS ^!@#$%%(*&&%$&&$$%%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GAGF Mendis!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're ****ed.

 

[Athlai]

All over Red Rover. Jeets to ton up though.

 

[Pigeon]

Prasanna!

 

[Athlai]

Wonderful stroke from Jeets there. He is all over Murali here. Bowling change to come IMO