** Official ** Sri Lanka in New Zealand tour

[JASON]

IMO toss will be crucial in Wellington, and winning the toss will give a great advantage for the winning Captain.

 

[JASON]

Does John Wright hope to return to NZ or has he been lined up for a county job already ?
Because, IMO he could be a future NZ coach . But may need to take up a provincial Team coaching first .

 

[anzac]

Thanks, Anzac. A comprehensive opinion as always - rugby gets the Re:Union TV analysis show and various others over here, but sadly cricket gets nothing remotely like it.

The itinerary isn't out yet AFAIK, but I'd be surprised if Hopkins (or as much as I wouldn't agree with the choice, Papps) was still a 'TBD' rather than pencilled in as a definite traveller, and likewise a second spinner (even on SA wickets, I doubt they'll risk another enforced Trent Bridge situation). It's an interesting point you raise though because if they did deem Vincent or Sinclair as adequate, by coincidence they're probably two hovering right around the 15th/16th cut-line for their batting alone.

Something we're hearing a lot in NZ is, "wait till the 7 or 8 missing players come back" - almost as if seeing our current test side so outclassed by AUS has put a rose-coloured lens on the likes of Papps, Tuffey, Butler etc.

I've heard all of those players referred to as "front-line" or "first-choice" recently - I'd like to know the last time anyone was recalled as a test batsman after averaging 12 or less in a domestic comp!

I think you'll be correct about Tuffey also - he could well be entering the same technical pariah status Sinclair did as a batsman. Perhaps the work he did with R. Hadlee to try and fix his scrambled seam issues started his whole crisis of confidence in a 'paralysis by analysis' fashion, and now he can't even be trusted to be accurate.

Meanwhile Butler should probably have moved past the 'promising' age (it's ironic how overseas critics are often impressed by Butler's action and attitude on their first look at him, yet it's unorthodox young quicks like Malinga and Tait who seem to be surging ahead results-wise.). Despite his tantrum about Bracewell denying him a chance on harder surfaces in AUS, I'd agree that he's no guarantee to make the African squad. At best he'd make my 15 to call his bluff - if he doesn't take wickets in SA, he may finally leave the ego-driven tactics behind.

I see the "Chris Martin's taken 29 SA wickets @ 20" argument doesn't impress you a great deal Anzac, which is fair enough I suppose given he's taken 17 test wickets @ 66 since he last played the Proteas.

I'd probably still take him ahead of O'Brien though, who I think might be even more limited skills-wise. On thing I liked about Martin's performance in Napier was the reverse-swing he started getting away from RH's - something I hadn't seen him do before.

if they take a 2nd 'keeper then Hopkins would get the berth & Sinclair would miss out - Vincent has shown enough balls in his last 2 2nd innings digs to get a berth IMO.....

likewise Wiseman gets any 2nd spin berth because of an unchanged squad for the 2nd Test & B Martin & Co yet to make any debut at full level...............

the injury status of Butler, Papps & Tuffey is a bit of a smoke screen IMO - their form was no where 2b seen prior to the injuries so that disqualifies them from selection unless they play some decent cricket between now & then.................

I still like Butler but he's a bit of a 1 trick poney IMO - he can be useful if the attack has the right balance & proven 'strike' bowler/s at the other end capable of cashing in on his intimidation, likewise so long as he bowls the sort stuff we'll need to further compensate with a 'containment' type bowler who won't go for runs..............we can do this with limited resources but IMO for Butler to start we would need a 5-5 split which is something I don't want - hence Butler doesn't make my squad until he can bowl good yorkers & get reverse swing going etc...........and pitch it up on a good length at the same time.....

for mind C Martin is in the same boat as a 1 trick poney - I actually think O'Brien showed more skills v AUS that Martin, but needs more work.............if Bond is fit & bowling 3/4 what he used to be then IMO Martin does not offer enough - I know I was talking him up prior to the ENG tour, but he has failed to impress since RSA, particularly as a 'strike' bowler which is his role in the attack...............from memory Franklin has taken more wickets nearly every innings this intnl season.............atm O'Brien & Adams would be ahead of Martin & Mills in my selections......................

but there is still 1 Test to go - if O'Brien doesn't start in place of Mills then he won't go to ZIM / RSA..........and C Martin probably will........

 

[anzac]

Does John Wright hope to return to NZ or has he been lined up for a county job already ?
Because, IMO he could be a future NZ coach . But may need to take up a provincial Team coaching first .

IMO it will depend on;
does Wright want the job??;
how much leeway will be given to Bracewell re injuries & loss of form;
is there any provision in his contract for him to be dumped prior to the WC???

 

[JASON]

IMO it will depend on;
does Wright want the job??;
how much leeway will be given to Bracewell re injuries & loss of form;
is there any provision in his contract for him to be dumped prior to the WC???

To me Bracewell is the best ODI coach and he should be retained till after next World Cup, because with him on board NZ will have a great shot at 2007 World Cup !!

Particularly if Bond, Oram, Vettori, Styris all come back from injury and Flem returns to cracking form he is usually known for !!

 

[anzac]

Thanks, Anzac. A comprehensive opinion as always - rugby gets the Re:Union TV analysis show and various others over here, but sadly cricket gets nothing remotely like it.

what I do like about the batting lineup is that there is plenty of coverage, and opportunity to do a bit of experimentation in the ZIM leg..........

Hopkins could play as 'keeper & McCullum can play as a specialist bat & even open - likewise Vincent can cover any injuries at the top & J Marshall can also be used lower in the order..........I'd even contemplate having Astle & Styris competing for 1 spot so as to allow Fulton into the middle order................

as usual the bowling is causing the most headaches - but with an extended batting lineup I'd entertain the theory of 'advance the game' to give them the time & runs to play with.........

 

[anzac]

if the squad was more settled (both in personell, form, split & order) I'd probably look to have some wild card selections - I'd consider the likes of Ryder, C Martin & possibly Redmond (if he can still turn the ball & get bounce) & Sherlock.........

simply because of the ZIM leg & few Tours these days allow for any development - IMO you must use it when it's there atm...........

I'm actually looking at Ryder as competing with Macca & then Styris & Astle for the 'aggressive / explosive' batting positions who can also provide bowling options,
as opposed to 'attacking stroke makers' such as Fleming, Futlon & Taylor,
while the Twins & Vincent provide the stability & backbone for the innings..........although Vincent has shown he's not going to be a shrinking violet at #6.......

when Flem gets over his batting blues I'd look to swap him & Hamish in the order so that he can accelerate the rate from #3, whereas Hamish tends to build it slower initially...........the other proviso to this is that the openers do their primary job which is to see off the new ball attack..........

 

[anzac]

To me Bracewell is the best ODI coach and he should be retained till after next World Cup, because with him on board NZ will have a great shot at 2007 World Cup !!

Particularly if Bond, Oram, Vettori, Styris all come back from injury and Flem returns to cracking form he is usually known for !!

a good point & IMO if Bracewell is retained for the duration of his contract then it will be a clear signal that this is the real priority for the NZCC..............

and could explain Bracewell's comments re Macca still being part of his plans..........

 

[marc71178]

I hope you will be equally generous in judging decisions that go against your Team .

Like you're being in moaning about something where there was no issue of bad umpiring you mean?

 

[Zinzan]

the weather doesn't look good at all for the next couple of days in Wellington.

http://www.metservice.co.nz/default/index.php?alias=wellington

just checked the wellington weather for the next 5 days from tomorrow and it looks to be okay

 

[JASON]

Like you're being in moaning about something where there was no issue of bad umpiring you mean?

 

[psxpro]

Play to start at 10:30 if weather is fine. only 45 mins away.
Interesting too see what the pitch will be like.

There isn't that much interest overall in nz though as its rugby season.

 

[_Ed_]

Early wicket. Attapattu gone. I like that.

 

[JASON]

Early wicket. Attapattu gone. I like that.

Good toss to win. Early wicket - likely sign of things to come !!

 

[JASON]

SL playing 7 batsmen (with Kalavitigoda) and Maharoof (all rounder) in place of Herath, Kulasekera.

To me that shows they are playing for another draw !! (and will be happy with that, as long as they don't lose(the safety first approach) . )

 

[JASON]

6.2 Martin to Sangakkara, OUT: slashes at a wide ball outside off stump
and Marshall takes a comfortable catch in the slips

2 down . I predict SL all out before Tea.

(Bit optimistic there JASON, what if they don't make it to lunch !! )

 

[JASON]

Make it 3 down .Jayawardene lbw for a duck . (to compensate his good batting in previous Test !! )

 

[JASON]

May not make it to lunch !!

4/41 - Jayasuriya goes for 22. Martin 4 for 16. (* looks at record books for 5 wickets before lunch on Day 1 records* )

 

[JASON]

"8.5 Martin to Dilshan, no run, comes forward and pads up to on off
stump. A huge shout from the kiwis but Hair turns them down. Too
high?

Sri Lanka in real strife here with lots of movement off the pitch
Dilshan comes in"

Predictions for 4-5 session Test , any body ?

 

[Zinzan]

Martin has been outstanding, but the others have been disappointing. I'm getting sick of Franklin's drooped shoulders and inconsistent line and length.

The support seamers have to compliment Martin here and keep their disclipline and neither Franklin or Mills have made a good start.

Martin is actually getting some good pace, he's consistently between 139-143 kms and getting nice swing and seam.