continuation of THE 'tsunami series'

not fair on Sri Lanka to come into a series a year later, 1-nil down, with no build up

hard on a team to go from Indian dustbowls to NZ pitches (for which there is no suitable single adjective - apart from maybe 'irregular') which I think showed in the 1st/2nd game the other day.

Hopefully a better game at CHC and WLG on truer pitches (if the weather stays fine . . .)

. . . I'll talk to myself then . . .

Sri Lanka posting 257 or so - not bad, though with Jade's rugby boundaries it still might'nt be enough. Anything can happen though

Was a little dissapointed in the SL 1st innings, don't think they took unough risks in the late overs.

Tharanga played well for his century and congratulations to Cairns for picking up his 200th ODI wicket, bring on 204 and the Nz record.

I can only comment on the scores, as the matches are a) in the middle of the night and b) not televised over here. Astle finally found some form with an unbeaten 90 and Tharanga played very well, as did Kyle Mills.

I think New Zealand are showing that it's taking one major performance from a batsmen certainly to win a game. So there is a risk that New Zealand can get bowled out as their batsmen are not all contrbuting.

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

I think that many teams could be said to suffer from that. The thing I like about the current team (when not experimenting) is that they bat down to number twelve - in some cases ten having test tons with a fifty for no.11

Anyhoo - todays game: fine with patchy cloud in Welly at the moment with no rain for a few days so outfield should be fast with traditionally a good high scoring pitch.

NZ taking the opportunity to experiment with the line up and strategy. Bracewell looks to have taken some pages out of Graham Henry's book (All Black coach) and is trying to prepare two full teams before the '07WC. Hence dropping Astle after a decent, but scratchy, knock in the last game.

Sri Lanka have forgotten about game one played over a year ago (justifiably I feel) so they feel they can still level the series 2-2

I thought I'd note that yesterday after NZ amassed a lack lustre 224-9, helped by some last over hitting from Jimmy Franklin, Sri Lanka crumbled to 200 odd after being 100 odd for 1

Shane Bond is back, picking up 3-39 and bowling with real pace, pushing and going beyond 150kmph

New boy Jeetan Patel really impressed with 2-21 off his 10 that really won us the game


SL should have won with Sangakara dominating until he was undone by a BRILLIANT Chris Cairns slower ball


and with the final match to be played in Napier tomorrow it looks inevitable that NZ will finish the series 5-0 unless SL can bat smarter and Vaas can get some support from his bowling partners who have quite honestly been mediocre (Murali included)

I agree. 5-0 looks too ominous for me, Sir Lanka are really in trouble. Maybe Murali should open the bowling with Vaas. You never know. he could knock over the top order for very few runs. Atleast giving the Sri Lankans a chance to win.

__________________
Watch this for a perfect about.
James May