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

[Athlai]

Did you read what I wrote? Let's try to shorten it for you to lessen the need of an attention span.

Every match has points on it, regardless of series results. Therefore, winning more matches = more points = higher ranking. Winning series makes NO difference to the points that are given out, except to say that you got points for the match you won and the match you drawed. You don't get any additional points for winning the series, you get points per test.

Winning series = winning matches. Drawing series = drawing matches or winning/losing the same amount. Same effect on points.

If you'd like me to break it down to the exact amount of wins required so you can figure it out for yourself next time, I'll try make it easier. It's hard for me to remember you're a cricketer and not a linguist or a statistician like the rest of us.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Has the ICC even revealed the algorithm they use? All I can find is something about points based on a "mathematical formula".

 

[Bahnz]

Did you read what I wrote? Let's try to shorten it for you to lessen the need of an attention span.

If you'd like me to break it down to the exact amount of wins required so you can figure it out for yourself next time, I'll try make it easier. It's hard for me to remember you're a cricketer and not a linguist or a statistician like the rest of us.

 

[straw man]

Disappointed I missed throwing things during the discussion on Henry playing or not. Lest the need for his imminent debut not be clear to everyone apart from Blocky, fate delivers Southee's injury as a guiding beacon. Whenever Southee is injured our attack goes to **** and it's not Wagner or Bracewell that will set the tone with the new ball. Henry. What a bowler. What a human being. And what an ideal time this would be to give him a debut, were it not for the World Cup distraction.

Much more tepid on Bracewell - returning to the last time we toured England I advocated four quicks and no spinner, and then Bracewell and Wagner competed to see who could bowl worse as first change. Wagner subsequently outbowled Bracewell to earn the third seamer spot and Douglas is still on a good-behaviour bond after those antics last season. He still seems like he wants to be the new ball man but Henry is very very likely to be better in the medium term if not now. I would like to see if Bracewell has returned to his better fuller length though.

Our bowling attack for England should be Southee, Boult, Henry, who cares and Neesham. This might make it seem like I'm part of the alleged anti Wagner hive mind conspiracy, but when we all telepathically connected last night to discuss our love of Ish Sodhi and hatred of success, the swarm consciousness did discuss in passing that perhaps we might like to win that series thanks, and not have a repeat of last time. I can say I like Wagner all I want though I know it will be imagined I somehow have something against the guy. More mundanely, the Duke ball in early-season England where seam position is paramount and the wickets are not particularly quick, are relatively speaking the worst possible conditions for Wagner to bowl in. As in looking at our other bowling options, I'd be more likely to play Wagner almost any other place any other time, nearly every other place and time in fact, rather than there. Sneak him in as fourth seamer if you must, but that will mainly be for his alleged cheerful demeanour and peppy pep talks. I want us to win in England.

I think Sri Lanka will surprise some people and play well in this test, so I hope Southee is not injured as it sounds like it will be a result wicket.

 

[Bahnz]

Disappointed I missed throwing things during the discussion on Henry playing or not. Lest the need for his imminent debut not be clear to everyone apart from Blocky, fate delivers Southee's injury as a guiding beacon. Whenever Southee is injured our attack goes to **** and it's not Wagner or Bracewell that will set the tone with the new ball. Henry. What a bowler. What a human being. And what an ideal time this would be to give him a debut, were it not for the World Cup distraction.

Much more tepid on Bracewell - returning to the last time we toured England I advocated four quicks and no spinner, and then Bracewell and Wagner competed to see who could bowl worse as first change. Wagner subsequently outbowled Bracewell to earn the third seamer spot and Douglas is still on a good-behaviour bond after those antics last season. He still seems like he wants to be the new ball man but Henry is very very likely to be better in the medium term if not now. I would like to see if Bracewell has returned to his better fuller length though.

Our bowling attack for England should be Southee, Boult, Henry, who cares and Neesham. This might make it seem like I'm part of the alleged anti Wagner hive mind conspiracy, but when we all telepathically connected last night to discuss our love of Ish Sodhi and hatred of success, the swarm consciousness did discuss in passing that perhaps we might like to win that series thanks, and not have a repeat of last time. I can say I like Wagner all I want though I know it will be imagined I somehow have something against the guy. More mundanely, the Duke ball in early-season England where seam position is paramount and the wickets are not particularly quick, are relatively speaking the worst possible conditions for Wagner to bowl in. As in looking at our other bowling options, I'd be more likely to play Wagner almost any other place any other time, nearly every other place and time in fact, rather than there. Sneak him in as fourth seamer if you must, but that will mainly be for his alleged cheerful demeanour and peppy pep talks. I want us to win in England.

I think Sri Lanka will surprise some people and play well in this test, so I hope Southee is not injured as it sounds like it will be a result wicket.

To be fair to Wagner, he bowled beautifully in the first innings of the Lord's test in 2013, which made it all the more frustrating when he bowled utter filth for the rest of the tour.

 

[Kippax]

He still seems like he wants to be the new ball man but Henry is very very likely to be better in the medium term if not now. I would like to see if Bracewell has returned to his better fuller length though.

Dougeh actually says it's his batting (and becoming a third runner in the Neesham vs. Anderson race) that enthuses him a lot, when he thinks about his next decade of cricket.

One thing I've noticed about his reclaimed swing is that he hasn't got enough of it yet to fully hoop it back down a left-hander's lbw line (like he did with Hussey back in the day). He was actually going around the wicket with the new ball to Hira and Dawson (and created some problems, due to their lack of international class).

 

[Dan]

Looks to be getting very close to that danger zone to the left handers

 

[straw man]

Dougeh actually says it's his batting (and becoming a third runner in the Neesham vs. Anderson race) that enthuses him a lot, when he thinks about his next decade of cricket.

That's right, I remember that comment now. I still don't know how he fits in the side though, apart from being an amazingly versatile reserve, which is not likely his aim. He's not batting 6 for cd either is he.

Don't remember him ever being a massive swinger of the ball (unless go back to that more front on action he had a long time ago), and can't picture the Hussey ball you mention, but that shape looks about usual - perfectly good shape if he bowls good line and length. Still think he should be competing to be the guy that bowls long challenging old-ball spells IMO, his strengths are physical strength, a highly repeatable action and fitness, so challenge Wagner, not Southee and not Neesham/Anderson.

 

[Kippax]

Yeah that Hussey ball would be handy for the Sri Lankan top 5, not sure they need to worry though.

 

[Maximas]

3 possible changes for SL, and they are probably all good ones, Herath in for Kaushal, Chandiguns in for Dickwella (would be distraught if this doesn't happen) and Pradeep in for Prasad, which I'm pretty indifferent about, although I think Prasad probably deserves one more test

 

[Zinzan]

Morning Chaps, funny how inevitable the prospect of losing the toss is for NZ fans these days, so much so that winning it will almost feel like winning the lottery!


Meanwhile, the weather forecast over the 5 days looks relatively good. Can't wait for the first delivery!

 

[Zinzan]

3 possible changes for SL, and they are probably all good ones, Herath in for Kaushal, Chandiguns in for Dickwella (would be distraught if this doesn't happen) and Pradeep in for Prasad, which I'm pretty indifferent about, although I think Prasad probably deserves one more test

Yeah, It's going to be really interesting to see how NZ cope with a world-class left-arm spinner this time around. A great test of how we've progressed.

 

[straw man]

Was thinking about our batting and how in previous years anyone scoring a century would trigger mass euphoria and surprise. Now we can use more casual terms 'yeah Ross/Brendon/Kane/someone peeled off another century today.' 'oh that's nice'.

Centuries by year:
2006: 4
2007: 0 (really? But I think I've done this statsguruing right)
2008: 6
2009: 8
2010: 8
2011: 2
2012: 6
2013: 11
2014: 14

Wouldn't be surprised if 14 in a year is our best ever.

 

[Binkley]

Meanwhile, the weather forecast over the 5 days looks relatively good. Can't wait for the first delivery!

There was a surprising, and reasonably wet, shower early this morning. Still some cloud around, but also enough blue to make it hard to look outside without squinting. And there is a decent breeze blowing which should dry off the outfield pretty smartly. Not sure if the shower, or the resulting delay in final preparations, might have an impact on the pitch though.

 

[Binkley]

There was a surprising, and reasonably wet, shower early this morning. Still some cloud around, but also enough blue to make it hard to look outside without squinting. And there is a decent breeze blowing which should dry off the outfield pretty smartly. Not sure if the shower, or the resulting delay in final preparations, might have an impact on the pitch though.

Update: I wrote that about an hour ago, and forgot to press post until 5 minutes ago. I just stepped outside again and the sky is now mostly blue and my lawn (which needs a mow) has dried off almost completely already.

 

[BeeGee]

Tim Southee fit to play second test | Stuff.co.nz

 

[Howsie]

Tim Southee fit to play second test | Stuff.co.nz

Sweet.

 

[Zinzan]

Tim Southee fit to play second test | Stuff.co.nz

Awesome news.

 

[Kippax]

Pradeep in for Prasad, which I'm pretty indifferent about

I'd certainly hate facing Pradeep on the Patumahoe clay at the Basin, tbf. Not sure he'll take wickets, but he'll be getting right up into the box and ribs.

 

[Howsie]

Yus. Wagner gone.