***Official*** Sri Lanka in New Zealand

[JASON]

I heard Moody's interview on Radio , He said " most top Cricketing nations have a great reserve of talent , and in Sri Lanka the lack of it in failing to push not only failing senior players but even the new players that have not established themselves in the Team means everyone gets a long run despite their continuing failures !!"

A very valid point.

One has to look at the likes of Australia, South Africa, India and NZ to see the truth in his comments.

But I think given Sri Lanka are likely to struggle for the next 2 years at least in Transition with Sanath J, and possibly Vaas +/- Atapattu getting there sooner or later, SL does not need an overpaid coach (who gets paid excessively compared to the players of the likes of Murali, Sangakkara who are paid peanuts by SL cricket) to be in charge of its Team to state the obvious and do nothing to reverse the trend or take no responsibility for reversing this thrend.

I think honestly Dav Whatmore is the only coach who gels with the SL Team well and capable of getting nto their heads and bringing the best in them.

Moody may need to go back to county coaching or Club coaching even to improve his credentials and get a bit more experience. SL unfortunately cannot afford to pay him a fortune in order to help him gain experience at this level.

 

[Dasa]

thank you...and Ming, reading and comprehension not your strong point? Please show me where I called the Sri Lankans "monkeys". Sheesh your as bad as Ntini freaking out over Warnes "Blackman" comment

its people like you MING who desperately look for racism where there is none who are the racist ones themselves

Look...it's always fraught with danger associating monkeys with people, considering calling dark-skinned people monkeys has historically been used as a racial epithet. I think it's just better to err on the side of caution because people can (justifiably) be sensitive about such comments. You weren't being racist, but people can take things the wrong way so I think it's better to just not make the comment.
Anyway, regarding the Blackman comment, Ntini was justified in getting agitated by that considering he had no idea where it came from. Reportedly he was fine with it once it was explained so why you're associating that with being too sensitive is beyond me.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Look...it's always fraught with danger associating monkeys with people, considering calling dark-skinned people monkeys has historically been used as a racial epithet. I think it's just better to err on the side of caution because people can (justifiably) be sensitive about such comments. You weren't being racist, but people can take things the wrong way so I think it's better to just not make the comment.
Anyway, regarding the Blackman comment, Ntini was justified in getting agitated by that considering he had no idea where it came from. Reportedly he was fine with it once it was explained so why you're associating that with being too sensitive is beyond me.

I couldn't have worded it better myself.

Regardless of motivation, associating monkeys with coloured people is never a particularly smart thing to do, that much should be obvious.

 

[Pratters]

Gunawardene goes.. he had no idea regarding the pace playing that shot.

 

[Pratters]

Why should Sangakarra try that hook which could so easily have been out. Poor. He is a key player with Jayasuriya out of the team and should play more responsibly.

 

[Zinzan]

161/3 after 35.5 overs...........

Sri Lanka really need to muster at least 120-130 runs off the last 14 overs. We must remember that this is the pitch that NZ achieved that record chase (332) against australia just 2 weeks ago and it looks like an absolute cracker again today !! A very difficult ground to defend !!!

 

[Pratters]

I dont see a lot of runs from Sri Lanka.. 225-245..

 

[Zinzan]

I dont see a lot of runs from Sri Lanka.. 225-245..

Dude, if thats all they get, the chase should be a stroll in the park barring a Murali miracle

I hope they do get at least 260, even though I obviously want NZ to win

 

[Ming]

Maestro, it's lacking class to associate sub continent players to monkeys. I'm surpised you linked me to that Warne comment about Blackman, jeez, let me remind you to who called the Lankans appealing like monkeys. Ntini was right to react that considering Warne's past record, how was a South African supposed to know what a freaking Aussie TV star or whatever he is?

 

[Zinzan]

Congratulations Christopher Cairns on 200 ODI wickets

I wonder how many cricketers have done the 2000 runs and 200 wickets double in both forms of the game ??

 

[aussie]

Kiwis just out of interest in cricket the biggest sport down their?

 

[Tim]

Sri Lanka need at least 280 on this pitch. It looks identical to the one that saw NZ chase down 330+ against Australia.

 

[Tim]

Numbers wise..I think Soccer is the most played sport in NZ, followed by Rugby & Netball..then cricket is not too far off. In summer, Cricket is the clear winner as the others are all winter sports.

Popularity wise...Rugby, day light, Cricket then more day light...

 

[aussie]

Numbers wise..I think Soccer is the most played sport in NZ, followed by Rugby & Netball..then cricket is not too far off. In summer, Cricket is the clear winner as the others are all winter sports.

Popularity wise...Rugby, day light, Cricket then more day light...

safe, tim

 

[Tim]

NZ has been outstanding in the field today...unbelievable commitment on the boundaries.

 

[dinu23]

I think the pressure on him to get some runs will be made all the more worse if he continues to stay at the top of the order and will end up in a very vicious cycle and quite possibly see the end of his International Cricket career.

BTW , with regard to Super Sub what do you think of Malinga as a Supersub.

But then that will only work if SL bat first.

I don't think Malinga is up for OD cricket. he's too wayward. I think allrounders like Maharoof, Lokuhettige are the ideal candidates for the SS role.

 

[Tim]

Superb from Mills too, he really is improving every game now.

 

[JASON]

Congratulations Christopher Cairns on 200 ODI wickets

I wonder how many cricketers have done the 2000 runs and 200 wickets double in both forms of the game ??

Congrats Chris Cairns, but I don't know what sort of Background Umpiring Gary Baxter has, he failed to call a very shocking wide the previous ball. That would have been a wide even in A Test Match and it may have been the frustration that brought out that shot from Dilshan.

Even Hair saved Vettori about 4-5 runs and balls from legside wides that should have been called, the trouble is having saved the Black Caps approx 6-8 runs, when the chase is on they will get sharp on the Lankans I suspect.

Maharoof bowled 6/217.

Any score under 300 on this ground is below par, considering the long black caps batting line up.

 

[Zinzan]

Numbers wise..I think Soccer is the most played sport in NZ, followed by Rugby & Netball..then cricket is not too far off. In summer, Cricket is the clear winner as the others are all winter sports.

Popularity wise...Rugby, day light, Cricket then more day light...

Cricket certainly gets the best deal from the media in NZ in terms of coverage. Amazingly NZ are the best in the world at softball and have won the last couple of world champs, yet the media and t.v networks don't want to know about them.

Despite the favourable media coverage, I don't think cricket is that high in terms of playing numbers. Most young NZders prefer to go to the beach in the summer instead of standing on a cricket field, but are keen sportsmen in the winter.

 

[Tim]

Mind you...Oram then got a bit of a shocking call too.