*Official* Sri Lanka Tour of New Zealand 2018/19

[Maximas]

Hard to make much of a judgement of Dilruwan Perera this series given that Ajaz was equally ineffective with the ball generally (didn't see much of his bowling, figures look somewhat tight), but this innings is actually quite important, given how collapse prone the batting has been of late a decent half century tomorrow could help him fight off Sandakan for a spot in the Aus tests next month on the strength of his no 8 batting.

Also keen to see who the 3rd seamer will be in Aus - return to Rajitha, try Charmander again or is Pradeep next in line?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Despite the excellence of Boult/Southee/Wagner and Matt Henry's form in England I'd really like to see Ferguson make a test debut vs Bangladesh.

 

[Moss]

Nice to see Wagner putting in a vintage effort. He's had a couple of lean tests but should be noted none of the other bowlers were able to make much of a dent in the same conditions either. Would be pretty cool nevertheless if they could somehow fit Ferguson in for the Bangladesh tests.

 

[Dan]

Also keen to see who the 3rd seamer will be in Aus - return to Rajitha, try Charmander again or is Pradeep next in line?

Honestly against this line-up just play two spinners and be done with it.

 

[Prince EWS]

Hard to make much of a judgement of Dilruwan Perera this series given that Ajaz was equally ineffective with the ball generally (didn't see much of his bowling, figures look somewhat tight), but this innings is actually quite important, given how collapse prone the batting has been of late a decent half century tomorrow could help him fight off Sandakan for a spot in the Aus tests next month on the strength of his no 8 batting.

Also keen to see who the 3rd seamer will be in Aus - return to Rajitha, try Charmander again or is Pradeep next in line?

Pradeep had improved quite a bit before he got injured; if he's properly fit again he'd definitely be my pick. It's a big if though -- "not injured anymore" and "properly fit again" are two different things, especially for Sri Lankan quicks. Failing that I'd definitely pick Rajitha over Chameera or Gamage, and I say that as someone who does not rate Rajitha at all.

 

[Hicheal Michael]

I just realized NZ, apart from Zim, is probably the one place Aus would choose to tour if they had to win an overseas series.

 

[the big bambino]

Also keen to see who the 3rd seamer will be in Aus - return to Rajitha, try Charmander again or is Pradeep next in line?

If India only had Roger Binny, Madan Lal and Ajit Agarkar against this Aus batting line up I'd have still backed them to win the series. So the answer is anyone of the above - or all 3 really.

 

[trundler]

Wouldn't go that far. The reason why Australia avoided defeat from India even with a WSC ravaged side was because of the crap Indian bowling.

 

[the big bambino]

That crap Indian bowling actually won a series in England and given the form of Khawaja, our current batting side doesn't have anyone as good as even an aged and rusty Simpson.

 

[Maximas]

Pradeep had improved quite a bit before he got injured; if he's properly fit again he'd definitely be my pick. It's a big if though -- "not injured anymore" and "properly fit again" are two different things, especially for Sri Lankan quicks. Failing that I'd definitely pick Rajitha over Chameera or Gamage, and I say that as someone who does not rate Rajitha at all.

Gamage is pretty much out of contention currently I think, don't remember seeing his name in the squad and he has been out of the side for over a year now I believe.

From early 2014 until the injury in late 2017ish Pradeep was pretty consistently our 2nd best seamer IMO (initially behind Prasad and later Lakmal), and possibly our best asset overseas, but he hasn't played much competitive cricket of late and has no real form behind him, so it would be risky, such is the problem with producing home pitches where just one seamer is pretty much surplus to requirements. For his experience and bowling style I'd back him on what I'd expect to be fairly placid Aussie pitches, he'd balance an attack with Lakmal and Kumara well. Rajitha seems to be a guy who needs a bit of assistance from the pitch to be effective - unlikely to get all that much in Aus, and Lakmal already plays that role of attacking in helpful conditions and defending on flat pitches.

 

[Grasshopper]

Lovely ball from Boult. No sign of Mathews, unfortunately.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Did this article get him angry?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12181446

Wagner said before the day today that the shoosh was directed at someone questioning his place in the team, so I guess it was this ... (and Howsie).

 

[Grasshopper]

That's all, folks.

Poor old Kumara ends up on 0* which is his eighth straight donut.

 

[Grasshopper]

Never thought I'd see Tim Southee win Player of the Match for his batting.

 

[Athlai]

Some decent promise in that Sri Lankan middle order, in home conditions they will still be a force.

 

[James]

Doesn't get much more comprehensive than that. NZ really are a pleasure to watch at the moment and I can't wait for the Boxing Day Test next year.

 

[Maximas]

I'd have taken a 1-0 defeat if offered at the start of the series tbh, a worrying lack of penetration in the bowling was a concern but the real issue is the top order batting, Karunaratne flopped hard after that 70 odd in Wellington and Gunathalika made no contribution. Our openers will find things a little easier in Aus perhaps not having to face world class swing bowlers in their own backyard but it's hard to see a future in test cricket for Gunathalika. The 3rd seamer option is currently very much open, and Dilruwan Perera was predictably inept on an unhelpful track, Sandakan will have a look in at some point soon I'd assume, even if that weakens the tail further.

Kusal Mendis was the big winner for SL, as was Matthews - but there's a big cloud around him and I'm pretty nervous to hear how the scans on his hammy come back. Kumara looked to be the biggest threat with the ball, and Lakmal did it beautifully when the conditions were right - but lacked penetration when it flattened out

 

[Smudge]

I don't care if this is only Sri Lanka. If Latham double tons this I'm gonna shoot my custard.

7 posts in, and I already have this n00b in my top 10 Kiwi posters on CW.

 

[Prince EWS]

Gamage is pretty much out of contention currently I think, don't remember seeing his name in the squad and he has been out of the side for over a year now I believe.

From early 2014 until the injury in late 2017ish Pradeep was pretty consistently our 2nd best seamer IMO (initially behind Prasad and later Lakmal), and possibly our best asset overseas, but he hasn't played much competitive cricket of late and has no real form behind him, so it would be risky, such is the problem with producing home pitches where just one seamer is pretty much surplus to requirements. For his experience and bowling style I'd back him on what I'd expect to be fairly placid Aussie pitches, he'd balance an attack with Lakmal and Kumara well. Rajitha seems to be a guy who needs a bit of assistance from the pitch to be effective - unlikely to get all that much in Aus, and Lakmal already plays that role of attacking in helpful conditions and defending on flat pitches.

Yeah I agree with all of this. I mentioned Gamage because Rajitha and Chameera were so bad on this tour that he might come back into contention, but yeah I'd hope not.

 

[Bahnz]

Well done to the bowlers. It's been a long hard 6 weeks for them, so to pull through and grind down a determined opponent was good work.

Also well done to Sri Lanka for taking it to the 5th day. This pitch was never really a road, there was always bounce and movement on offer, and the batsmen applied themselves really well. It's just a shame that Matthews got injured, could've been a really gripping last day otherwise.