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

[straw man]

SL will be thrilled with that. I think we need to leave off this assumption that our bowlers will just knock over SL's batting in these conditions too. SL have Sanga, Mathews and Karunaratne was good in the last match too, they definitely have the quality to take a significant lead here.

 

[viriya]

One positive for SL is that there wasn't a lot of movement even with the green pitch - most of the dismissals were relative gifts, so you'd have to think if they bat well they can get 300+.

 

[Maximas]

Dimuth looks pretty solid early, Silva known for his ability to to get through the new ball but not go on, feeling good about this

 

[viriya]

Well Sanga is not batting in the first over.. so SL has done something right already.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Dimuth looks pretty solid early, Silva known for his ability to to get through the new ball but not go on, feeling good about this

Yeah safely getting through the new ball is key. If they do that, I think they're well on top.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

I'm not worried yet. Just have to keep it tight and stay patient, in some ways this is the hardest part of the innings to take wickets since the openers will be so careful.

 

[Dan]

One positive for SL is that there wasn't a lot of movement even with the green pitch - most of the dismissals were relative gifts, so you'd have to think if they bat well they can get 300+.

If it's there, Southee and Boult are a) more likely to find it, and b) likely to use it far better compared to the SL pacers.

 

[viriya]

I actually think this scenario would be ideal for a dasher like Sanath or Dilshan.. really push the advantage.

 

[Bahnz]

Yeah safely getting through the new ball is key. If they do that, I think they're well on top.

With this much grass on the pitch though, the ball will swing until the end of the universe, so the new ball really isn't as crucial.

 

[Maximas]

With this much grass on the pitch though, the ball will swing until the end of the universe, so the new ball really isn't as crucial.

Nah but we seriously need a good start, our recent batting success this year has been built on opening partnerships

 

[wellAlbidarned]

These two are looking very tight outside off. Probably gonna have to wait for some more expansive shots to come out before a chance at a wicket.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

ah yes. It's all the balls fault.

 

[Swingpanzee]

Hmmm need quick wickets here. Can't really let the openers settle, that would set the stage for Sanga to bat us out of the game.

 

[NZTailender]

Yeah they're not intertested in anything that could see them nicking out.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Hmmm need quick wickets here. Can't really let the openers settle, that would set the stage for Sanga to bat us out of the game.

The SLs aren't going to roll over again. Just have to stay patient and keep working hard.

 

[Niall]

It wont make much of a difference to the result, but cricinfo have Pradeep coming in before Lakmal? Eh that can't be right surely? Pradeep can barely hold the bloody bat!

 

[Maximas]

It wont make much of a difference to the result, but cricinfo have Pradeep coming in before Lakmal? Eh that can't be right surely? Pradeep can barely hold the bloody bat!

They are both disgustingly poor with the bat, Pradeep tends to bat for his partner more though

 

[viriya]

It wont make much of a difference to the result, but cricinfo have Pradeep coming in before Lakmal? Eh that can't be right surely? Pradeep can barely hold the bloody bat!

I think they're both Chris Martin reincarnations..

 

[Bahnz]

Nice shape from Bracewell so far, needs to get closer to the stumps though.

 

[viriya]

Karunaratne has really impressed me.. only 26.. SL have a good opening option for the next 10 years possibly.

... and that one is on me.