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

[NZTailender]

Mills has been going pretty well this year, hasn't he?

 

[Tim]

Cairns's bowling is still a concern but I think he's working hard and he's improved alot recently.

How is a very good fieldsman, the game can't be better set up for him either to go out and play some shots because Sri Lanka are self-exploding on a good batting pitch.

 

[Jono]

Whilst again things don't look good for Sri Lanka, I still really like the look of Tillakaratne Dilshan who has been playing well recently. That's one positive. Unfortunately there aren't many others. Tharanga, whilst not performing today, is also another talent.

Its amazing, on paper that batting order is a pretty good team. But they just aren't performing.

 

[Tim]

Mills has made huge strides in the last 6 months. I doubted his ability, but I have to admit he's really improved.

 

[Jono]

Mills has been going pretty well this year, hasn't he?

I think its been the best of his career so far. I'm not sure if statistically it is (it probably will be) but from what I've seen of him he's improved plenty. He's definitely a good ODI bowler who deserves his spot in the NZ team, which many people including myself always wondered whether he should be there.

 

[NZTailender]

He upset a pattern though..
The wickets fell by bowlers:
Oram
Mills
Bond
Oram
Mills
Bond
Mills!


Would've been neat to see Oram-Mills-Bond all the way through :P

 

[NZTailender]

Actually, statistically, 2005 has been one of his "worst" but the stats don't tell the real story.

2001 he played 8 matches taking 10 wickets at 22.80
2002: 4m 8w @ 18.14
2003: 12m 12w @ 36.08
2004: 15m 18w @ 33.50
2005: 17m 22w @ 35.13

 

[NZTailender]

But by season

Season 05/06: 12 matches 17 wickets @ 29.52

 

[Jono]

Actually, statistically, 2005 has been one of his "worst" but the stats don't tell the real story.
2001 he played 8 matches taking 10 wickets at 22.80
2002: 4m 8w @ 18.14
2003: 12m 12w @ 36.08
2004: 15m 18w @ 33.50
2005: 17m 22w @ 35.13

Yeah I just saw that. I'm pretty sure the just concluded Australian series had a lot to do with that. Stats can be so annoying sometimes, because whilst he's not a champion ODI bowler, he's come leaps and bounds from when I first saw him in 2001/02.

I think he has the ability to average under 30 in ODI cricket, but that can't involve him bowling at the death. I don't think he can keep the run rate down and bowl fairly tight.

 

[Tim]

Since the beginning of the South African series, i'd say he's made a large improvement.

Anyway, Sri Lanka all out for 163.

 

[Jono]

But by season

Season 05/06: 12 matches 17 wickets @ 29.52

Oh, that'll include the Chappell-Hadlee series won't it?

I guess my point above was wrong.

 

[NZTailender]

Yeah I just saw that. I'm pretty sure the just concluded Australian series had a lot to do with that. Stats can be so annoying sometimes, because whilst he's not a champion ODI bowler, he's come leaps and bounds from when I first saw him in 2001/02.

I think he has the ability to average under 30 in ODI cricket, but that can't involve him bowling at the death. I don't think he can keep the run rate down and bowl fairly tight.

His average is inflated by the fact he doesn't do well against Australia or South Africa. But then, most NZ'ers don't either

 

[NZTailender]

Looking at the stats...this is one of NZ's youngest teams for a while?

Edit: Only Bond, Styris and Cairns are past the 30 mark...with Styris and Bond turning 31 in 06.

2nd edit: And only Marshall averaging over 30 with the bat (30.43)

 

[Sir Redman]

Had a feeling this would happen - I wish we batted first.

 

[Natman20]

The thing about Mills bowling is that he hasnt taken a lot of wickets probably but he has kept the run rate down a lot and has taken wickets at critical times this year.

 

[mikeW]

Sri Lanka looked awful, gonna be a long VB seies for them i suspect.

 

[JASON]

Both Darrell Hair and Tony Hill saved NZ 5 or 6 wides and I am not sure if they bothered with the no ball (bowlers foot steps) either on a few occasions.

I would have no problem provided did the same when SL bowled instead of changing their tune mid game and suddenly calling out every wide and no ball !!

SL were pretty ordinary.

I wouldn't say this pitch is easy to bat on.

IMO another 40 runs would've made it very competitive, but a few wickets early when SL bowl can change things quite quickly . I will be hoping and praying for this !!

 

[JASON]

Sri Lanka looked awful, gonna be a long VB seies for them i suspect.

Form is a temporary thing and provided some of the batsman can get into some sort of form things can change quite quickly .

I for one am hoping they do.

 

[JASON]

Good bowling by Mills and Vettori and good captaincy by Dan Vettori. He brought on Mills when the 5th wicket partnership was starting to build and he broke thru' and like wise when 6th wicket partnership was building brought Oram back and got another break thru' .

Good captaincy overall .

 

[mikeW]

Form is a temporary thing and provided some of the batsman can get into some sort of form things can change quite quickly .

I for one am hoping they do.

me too or else it will be a predictable VB series.