***Official** Sri Lanka in New Zealand

[JBH001]

Hmmm, the only thing is that Malinga is not consistent enough.

Anyway, tomorrow will be very interesting - pity that NZ bat so low though!

 

[chipmonk]

Malinga turns it on .....

Fleming has riled-up the lankans. His tactics about making a "press statement" about going after Sanga has totally backfired IMO. Anyway the onlyway to know if it worked or not is from the results of this test ..... like they say the proof ofthe pudding isin the eating.

 

[Jono]

SANGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

What an absolute champion.

 

[Jono]

He's obviously done it for a reason. I'm not convinced it was needed, the debate was starting to tail off but he's definately playing mind games.

Yeah, too bad the mind games didn't work. Sanga belted another ton, this time 150+ and still didn't go out

I respect Fleming a hell of a lot, but those comments were uncalled for and he's getting what he deserves. Sanga making him pay

 

[Jono]

He didn't whinge, he gave his honest opinion. He didn't drag it out, either, because he was asked by a reporter.

Look, I understand what you're saying but its the worst excuse and its used so often.

When an issue is dead and buried, or about to be, and an interviewer/journalist asks a question about it, it doesn't give a player free reign to spout off some rant. Fair enough regarding the NZ not getting credit, but calling Sanga selfish when he let Murali face 2 balls off Chris Martin's bowling whilst Sanga was on 99 on the non-striker's end is hardly absolutely selfish. He wanted his 100, as every player does.

Its like Ponting coming out and talking about Lara being selfish immediately after he scored 400. If players just come out and spout their thoughts willy nilly, can you imagine what Dravid or any other captain could have come and said about Ponting's poor captaincy for eg. during the Ashes? Showing respect for opposition players doesn't just go out the window if a journalist asks a question.

 

[Perm]

Pretty poor cricket all around apart from Sangakarra's beautiful century, been watching the Ashes to be honest as it was much more exciting and a higher standard. Good to see Vettori back amongst the wickets and great for Silva to get some runs.

 

[TT Boy]

Great knock from Kumar, watched most of it and it was men against boys compared to his team-mates. Can’t believe Silva hit a fifty though, after a while he actually looked rather decent but for the first twenty minutes or so he was a joke. The attempted first ball slog of Vettori and his general uneasiness was more than evident (was pretty much plumb second ball to Vettori as well) but at least the Sri Lanka middle order had some solace other than Sangakkara. Though the wicket keeper they have Prasanna Jayawardene looks about as limited as it gets, can’t Dilshan keep?

Tough task for New Zealand now, they bat pretty much all the way down to ten but some of them are absolute bunnies against Murali, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he run through them tonight.

Exciting test matches but agree with Perm the standard of cricket on show hasn't been of the highest quality.

 

[JASON]

He was run out in an 'unsporting' manner and Jayawardene didn't call him back?


No, no, no...it appears he was caught behind! Gosh!

No but Tharanga showed the True spirit of SL Cricket - a true Gent - walked without giving the Umpire a difficult decision he was not sure about.

Thats the way We play our Cricket, whether we win or lose !!

 

[JASON]

An absolute beaut of an innings by Sanga .... What a champion.

SL still a long way from taking this Test.

NZ will fight back tomorrow, without a doubt .

If either Team gets a lead of 100 on the first innings , that would be match winning on another moderately low scoring Test . (bar Sanga) .

BTW Craig Macmillan got a 100 ? any chance of a recall to NZ ODI team ... perhaps ..

 

[_Ed_]

No but Tharanga showed the True spirit of SL Cricket - a true Gent - walked without giving the Umpire a difficult decision he was not sure about.

Thats the way We play our Cricket, whether we win or lose !!

Fleming walked when he was out caught behind today too.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Fleming walked when he was out caught behind today too.

Ah, but that's just a PR stunt to get in the good books of...erm...someone.

 

[Beleg]

Sangakara rules!

Fleming's pre-match rant was unwarranted and obviously an attempt to stir up some controversy/anger. Jono explained the reasons quite well. Similiarly Sri Lankans unwillingliness to let-go of the 'unsporting' run-out is absolutely unnecessary and quite idiotic.

 

[Beleg]

Sangakara scored around 55 percent of his team's aggregate at a strike-rate of over eighty.

That's just ridiculous.

 

[Retox]

Good to see Papps in the runs. I think he needs to come him for How.

 

[silentstriker]

Sanga is a total gun. Everyone else....

 

[The Baconator]

Didn't get to see any of it, but sounds like an amazing innings by Sangakkara. Looks interestingly poised for today too, will probably watch a bit while waiting for the Ashes to start.

 

[Fiery]

I'll be very interested to see how Jacob Oram bats today. Since his 133 at Centurion back in April his form has been dire...he's looked like a No.11

 

[Perm]

Jacob Oram just hasn't had enough batting, he should've played both games for Central Districts before the 1st Test to get some time in the middle.

 

[TT Boy]

Can’t get this on my TV at the moment, Ward said press you red buttons are 9.30 on extra but alas nothing is seemingly up there. Just have to follow it on Cricinfo.com until 11.00 then, Malinga is just picked up another wicket, cleaning up Matt Sinclair.

Not the biggest fans of pace the New Zealanders, Shoaib had their stumps flying to all parts when he played them also. Good to see Malinga doing so well, he was bowling with some real heat yesterday, must be a ****ing nightmare for a batsman considering where he delivers it from.

 

[TT Boy]

Vettori in before Oram... Jacob injured?