***Official**** Sri Lanka in New Zealand 2014/2015

[Grasshopper]

429/7 after being sent in... That'll do.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

Ross Taylor is probably the best example of the psychological improvements I'm talking about. Look at how often he used to get out from getting a rush of blood to the head and playing an unnecessary shot. Now he has an almost Dravid-like serenity at the crease.

 

[Burgey]

Ridiculous score day one of a test. McCullum is insane when he's on song.

 

[Flem274*]

I'm talking about their defensive abilities.

They have all always been able to a) identify the good ball and b) keep it out with solid defensive technique. That hasn't changed. The improvements have largely come from knowing their game better, having better defined roles (particularly McCullum and Watling) and learning about the mental aspect to scoring a ton of runs when you're middling it (particularly Taylor and McCullum). Sure they'll all work on technique but I don't think you can use any of them as an example of becoming better batsmen by improving defensive abilities.

The defense of Watling and Taylor is the most marked improvement itbt. Taylor was very dodgy in the beginning and Watling had no idea against anything (pace or spin).

Baz has swapped his instinct to follow the ball with his hands for missing straight balls early on.

 

[Flem274*]

Without the gloves Baz has 3045 @ 45.44 including 6 tons from 39 tests.

That's pretty good reading. His away average needs a lot of work though. Annoyingly UAE is neutral and doesn't count towards away which makes it hard to say how much the recent double boosts it.

 

[Migara]

Feel like you have to be brave against McCullum and keep the field up when he plays like this. Trying to contain him doesn't work, just have to get him out as quickly as possible.

We had the luxury of Murali last time when we toured NZ. What ever the situation it's tough to score 4 rpo off him, even for a batsman in the mood of McCullum. Now we are lacking that attack-defense all in one option, and we could expect few more insane innings against us from opposing batsman. SL's pacers and spinners when they attack and take wickets look good. But all of them lack Plans B and C and some times going up to K or L with Murai.

 

[hendrix]

I hope Mathews is banned next test, btw. The hiccup at the beginning of the day when the bowlers slipped over is no excuse to only bowl 80 overs in 6.5 hours.

 

[Bahnz]

Without the gloves Baz has 3045 @ 45.44 including 6 tons from 39 tests.

That's pretty good reading. His away average needs a lot of work though. Annoyingly UAE is neutral and doesn't count towards away which makes it hard to say how much the recent double boosts it.

Though still nothing exceptional given that these have been his peak run-scoring years. A player of his obvious ability should really be averaging at least 50 in that period. Though opening is probably primarily responsible for that.

 

[Bahnz]

I hope Mathews is banned next test, btw. The hiccup at the beginning of the day when the bowlers slipped over is no excuse to only bowl 80 overs in 6.5 hours.

The probably lost 2-3 overs worth of play time due to the run-up kerfuffle at the start of the day. I also understand there was a bit of bother with the sightscreens, which again probably cost 2-3 overs of time. I don't think it deserves a ban, but it certainly isn't good.

 

[Migara]

The general idea is that the "half the ball" margin they already have is that margin of error.

It's simple. If it is umpire's call give it to umpire and don't reduce a review. Further, if only one componenet was for umpire's call (like not outside leg, hit within stumps or hitting stumps) give it to ump. If 2 or more are of that dodgy zone, give it not out because it shows too much doubt.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Further, if only one componenet was for umpire's call (like not outside leg, hit within stumps or hitting stumps) give it to ump. If 2 or more are of that dodgy zone, give it not out because it shows too much doubt.

Yeah, I like this idea.

 

[Migara]

The ****er is lazy, look he takes the ball and send 2 back to hut. Mathews is too good a bowler not to be bowling in tests. At least the pitch is green like this.

 

[Flem274*]

I hope he isn't Hendrix. I love the guy as a cricketer. Wish he would bowl more and move to #4.

Though still nothing exceptional given that these have been his peak run-scoring years. A player of his obvious ability should really be averaging at least 50 in that period. Though opening is probably primarily responsible for that.

Yeah he was a **** opener barring the two doubles and a few minor contributions. As skipper he's averaging 54 and even scores runs away from home against good bowlers now.

He'll always be an unfulfilled talent, but he's finally delivering the performances we all hoped for and (me at least) gave up on ever seeing.

He and Watling are my biggest Tastles.

 

[hendrix]

The probably lost 2-3 overs worth of play time due to the run-up kerfuffle at the start of the day. I also understand there was a bit of bother with the sightscreens, which again probably cost 2-3 overs of time. I don't think it deserves a ban, but it certainly isn't good.

They extended play half an hour and they were still 10 overs behind. Absolutely ban-worthy, IMO.

 

[hendrix]

It's simple. If it is umpire's call give it to umpire and don't reduce a review. Further, if only one componenet was for umpire's call (like not outside leg, hit within stumps or hitting stumps) give it to ump. If 2 or more are of that dodgy zone, give it not out because it shows too much doubt.

that's stupid. if a ball is hitting half the wicket, it's out.

If a ball lands half inside the line of leg stump, it's out.

These things are yes/no answers, they're not additive.

 

[Bahnz]

It's simple. If it is umpire's call give it to umpire and don't reduce a review. Further, if only one componenet was for umpire's call (like not outside leg, hit within stumps or hitting stumps) give it to ump. If 2 or more are of that dodgy zone, give it not out because it shows too much doubt.

I don't see why they bother with Umpire's call for the pitching and striking elements of LBW reviews. We know that ball tracking technology is extremely accurate in these areas. If tennis has no need for an umpire's call when determining where a ball lands then I don't see why cricket should either.

 

[hendrix]

I don't see why they bother with Umpire's call for the pitching and striking elements of LBW reviews. We know that ball tracking technology is extremely accurate in these areas. If tennis has no need for an umpire's call when determining where a ball lands then I don't see why cricket should either.

with tennis any part of the ball landing on the line is in, isn't it?

with cricket the laws don't seem to be that specific.

But yeah I'd prefer it to be any part of the ball landing within the outer most point of leg stump. That makes things simple.

 

[kiwiviktor81]

To be fair I think we're unlikely to see another day of such poor bowling and fielding from SL in this series. Plenty of slow full tosses, wide rubbish and some of the fielding would have disgraced an Indian team from the 1990s.

 

[viriya]

I hope Mathews is banned next test, btw. The hiccup at the beginning of the day when the bowlers slipped over is no excuse to only bowl 80 overs in 6.5 hours.

But but.. we had to get the ball back from the boundary bosssss...

 

[viriya]

To be fair I think we're unlikely to see another day of such poor bowling and fielding from SL in this series. Plenty of slow full tosses, wide rubbish and some of the fielding would have disgraced an Indian team from the 1990s.

You might be surprised.. I think this team is still kinda shell shocked from that 5-0 and Sharma treatment.. as soon as a batsman takes them on they start ****ting their pants and getting all sweaty.