*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2012

[Bahnz]

Jeevan Mendis is considered a batsman who bowls in Sri Lanka - or at best a "batting allrounder" - which I've always found interesting because after watching a fair bit of him (batting and bowling) I'm quite convinced he'd be coached and selected as a specialist bowler in Australia. He'd give our Test squad a shake even if he batted like Chris Martin, but he just sends down a few in comparison to the rest of the spin stocks in Sri Lanka, even domestically.

I'm not having a go at Mendis, I thought he was bowling very well for the most part. I was bemoaning the ignorance of New Zealand batsmen when faced with wrist spin. The complete inability of any of our batsmen to pick the wrong'un, even when it was being used 2 or 3 times an over is symptomatic of the lack of quality spin bowling on the domestic circuit.

[chaminda_00]

Jeevan Mendis is considered a batsman who bowls in Sri Lanka - or at best a "batting allrounder" - which I've always found interesting because after watching a fair bit of him (batting and bowling) I'm quite convinced he'd be coached and selected as a specialist bowler in Australia. He'd give our Test squad a shake even if he batted like Chris Martin, but he just sends down a few in comparison to the rest of the spin stocks in Sri Lanka, even domestically.

Says as much about domestic cricket in Sri Lanka, as it does about Jeevan Mendis.

Due to lack of depth in batting his main role is as a top order batsmen and with the crazy depth in spin bowling, he is seen as part time spinners.

Though the thing that makes Mendis look like a good spin bowler, is that he gives it a rip. Whereas spinners in Australia and NZ aren't encouraged to give it rip due to poor spin bowling conditions in those countries.

[Prince EWS]

I'm not having a go at Mendis, I thought he was bowling very well for the most part.

Haha yeah I know, I wasn't trying to argue with you; it's just something I've been meaning to make a post on for a while and seeing you mention Mendis and part-time spinners in the same post made me think it was a good opportunity.

[Howsie]

Let's hope this won't be the theme for his career. So far, one year in, it has been.

tbf it's been the same for him at first class level too. Will finish with 3/70 and you wonder how the hell he didn't finish with six or seven.

[M0rphin3]

What a terrible series this has been. And Nicol you ****, GTFO forever.

And why are they playing Kaneh at all if he's batting lower down the order? Makes no sense.

[straw man]

Cricket | Opinion | Black Caps Lose But Does Anyone Care? | Stuff.co.nz

Not a great deal about these ODIs, no. I doubt even Sri Lanka are getting much out of winning them. But I find it very funny that a few weeks ago cricket writers on both Stuff and NZHerald were whinging relentlessly about Guptill and Bracewell being rested for this pointless ODI series.

Much better off having Guptill at home with his feet up and Bracewell bowling in the Plunket Shield.

[SteveNZ]

I agree with the sentiment though. Absolute nothing matches, made even less memorable as a result of the rain. And the crowds look abysmal. Surely three Tests, three ODIs and a T20 was the way to go. Tests always mean something. ODIs are a dinosaur and T20 shouldn't really be played at international level.

[Kippax]

Ian Snook. Perhaps he can join Deaker for an hour, would be ideal for a drinking game based on reactionary and retarded rugby analogies.

[straw man]

I agree with the sentiment though. Absolute nothing matches, made even less memorable as a result of the rain. And the crowds look abysmal. Surely three Tests, three ODIs and a T20 was the way to go. Tests always mean something. ODIs are a dinosaur and T20 shouldn't really be played at international level.

I agree with the sentiment too. The 3/3/3 series would obviously have been best and I wonder where the articles in the media complaining about that were, or for that matter the same schedule for the recent Windies series. My opinion on ODIs has changed in last couple years and even 5-ODI series these days seem long and drawn out to me (let alone badly rain affected ones). I won't pretend this has nothing to do with just how poor we are at ODIs - despite being pretty poor at tests and T20s this ODI side really is the pits. My only positive thoughts regarding ODIs is that the next World Cup is in NZ+Aus.

Meanwhile NZC continues to say that tests are highly important and the most pure form of the game while scheduling 2-test series after 2-test series.

[SteveNZ]

Do NZC actually schedule them though - or is their hand forced by overseas boards that would rather play with the big boys? And when scheduling ODIs (weather permitting) know that they'll get a day's play, as opposed to the fourth and fifth day of a Test?

I can see no place for five match ODIs anywhere in the world. Three max. Even World Cups are becoming increasingly uninteresting.

The fools of the world say Test cricket is in danger but it's actually fast becoming the only format that has meaning. And the only potential spanner in the works is that god awful idea for night cricket to appease the fat cat TV executives.

In saying that, one of the most enjoyable days of my Test cricket viewing life was at Eden Park in 2002 (?) against England under lights. Usman Afzaal completely losing one from McMillan into the stands, Ashley Giles claiming he didn't see one he caught in the outfield (hell of a guess) and just general ridiculous outstandingness. But I wouldn't want it regularly

[Howsie]

Christ what a beauty.

[straw man]

Do NZC actually schedule them though - or is their hand forced by overseas boards that would rather play with the big boys? And when scheduling ODIs (weather permitting) know that they'll get a day's play, as opposed to the fourth and fifth day of a Test?

Have no doubt that the other boards are a big part of it, however there would be some sort of negotiating process and if NZC pushed hard for 3 tests we'd surely be playing at least a few more proper series. They would make less money because ODIs still bring in revenue apparently, while tests I believe are typically a cost. So I suspect NZC just don't care enough about tests to push for longer series. Surely could play an extra T20 or two to make up the financial difference.

Unlucky Boult - has really had these Lankan batsmen in trouble here. Tough chance for Watling.

[Bahnz]

Boult always looks so dangerous.

[Prince EWS]

****, forgot about this game, missed the early wickets and yet I still have to watch Tharanga bat now.

[thierry henry]

Any chance of Milne bowling properly fast today, or does he not do that anymore?