*Official* New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2012

[BeeGee]

Not a bad catch from Williamson.

 

[Hurricane]

declare at 300 - 350. We don't want them thinking they're dead and buried and batting for the draw from the outset. We need a win; they don't. We need to keep them tempted for 2-0 domination. It might happen but hey, we're 1-0 down as it is.

Also chuffed to not see a wicket fell when i got home.

Would almost rather they were in their shells trying to block everything then we can crowd the batsman with close catchers.

 

[Flem274*]

Would almost rather they were in their shells trying to block everything then we can crowd the batsman with close catchers.

nah we want them trying to drive Southee and Boult. They're already going to be dubious about attack (barring Dilshan who will always attack ofc) as it is due to the match situation and what we have done to them with the new ball. We need to give them a fair chance of victory so we can nab 2-3 first up.

 

[BeeGee]

They're changing the ball after only three overs? That's nuts.

And again. Cricket needs to get some tougher balls.

 

[Athlai]

Declare with 10-20 overs to go tonight.

Get as many runs as possible by then.

 

[NasserFan207]

This is getting weird. Now the ball is hooping around

 

[Mike5181]

nah we want them trying to drive Southee and Boult. They're already going to be dubious about attack (barring Dilshan who will always attack ofc) as it is due to the match situation and what we have done to them with the new ball. We need to give them a fair chance of victory so we can nab 2-3 first up.

300 isn't nearly enough. We can easily get to 370-380 with 20 overs left in the day. Declaring with 300 odd would mean there'd be 50 overs left today, and the entire fifth day to get through.

 

[Grasshopper]

Very happy they wrapped up the tail so quickly. Top effort from Southee and Boult, and a couple of lovely catches by Guptill and Williamson. Time for Sri Lanka to change their ball supplier?

 

[African Monkey]

Guptill didn't need to play there. Poor shot.

 

[Zinzan]

Not a bad catch from Williamson.

Brilliant indeed, didn't realise Williamson was capable of such athleticism truth be told.


Edit: Damn it Guptill, so much for the master-stroke of resting him prior to the test matches.

 

[Prince EWS]

That was a textbook Guptill dismissal. Almost self-parody tbh.

 

[Flem274*]

If Guptill can't score runs on this road then he's not going to fare any better in SA.

Would honestly open with a middle order batsman or Vettori ahead of him, but I've accepted it won't be happening and there aren't any openers scoring big domestically (damn our bowling depth) so I guess on the bright side we're going to have a gun slip in SA.

I will say though he has the best attitude of any opener we've played in a while. Remember Matt Bell denying his lack of technique was the issue back in the day?

 

[hendrix]

1. Didn't need to play it.

2. Too close to the body to play that shot.

3. Even if he decides to play it, he needs to wait for the ball longer rather than just throw his bat at it. This is the big technical issue that's the reason behind all his dismissals recently.

After this tour he should stay behind, hire some random Sri Lankan or Indian batting guru, and spend a good 2 weeks working on this.

Alternatively, come home and ask Crowe or Wright or even Richardson to give a hand.

 

[Athlai]

If Guptill can't score runs on this road then he's not going to fare any better in SA.

Would honestly open with a middle order batsman or Vettori ahead of him,

Thats because you're an idiot.

 

[Prince EWS]

If Guptill can't score runs on this road then he's not going to fare any better in SA.

Would honestly open with a middle order batsman or Vettori ahead of him, but I've accepted it won't be happening and there aren't any openers scoring big domestically (damn our bowling depth) so I guess on the bright side we're going to have a gun slip in SA.

Wouldn't be that surprised if he was replaced by Watling. It would be so ridiculously harsh on Watling to turn around and tell him he's a specialist opener again but I don't think the selectors realise how much they're ****ing him around.

 

[Grasshopper]

Just give the bloody bag to an umpire.

 

[Athlai]

I wonder at what point will they have to go out and buy some balls.

 

[Mike5181]

If Guptill can't score runs on this road then he's not going to fare any better in SA.

Would honestly open with a middle order batsman or Vettori ahead of him, but I've accepted it won't be happening and there aren't any openers scoring big domestically (damn our bowling depth) so I guess on the bright side we're going to have a gun slip in SA.

I personally don't want to move him again, but we did have an opportunity to keep Flynn in the opening position when we picked him to play there against South Africa. Then Ryder and Brownlie could fill 5-6. It's never ideal to have a middle order batsman as an opener though.

 

[Flem274*]

Thats because you're an idiot.

You rate Guptill far too highly. He's a straight drive specialist, and that's it. Great attitude to the game and he will improve but he's no where near good enough right now, and our reserve middle order batsmen are better than him.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't know how much work Guptill did with Wright but he could really benefit from making a few changes. The eye is there and the will to succeed is there and he's one of the best slips I've seen play for NZ, but as a batsman he is too flawed.

edit: its easy to rag on the guy from my chair but this has gone on for 30 tests now. It's no longer a matter of a few good balls or waiting for his talent to shine through. He simply isn't good enough right now.