Let's hope it motivates the boys

[12th Man]

Let's hope for some positives from the Murali incident. If it serves as a wake up call to the Sri Lankans who I firmly believe are a much more talented team than the Kiwis and they thrash the Kiwis in the next test, it will prove that the Lankans have character. To draw a test series in NZ is very good and in fact about the best we can realistically hope for.

Come on Sri Lanka you have been treated in strict accordance with the law and not given the courtesy that visitors to our part of the world are accustomed to, now give it back in spades !

[Wanderer]

One word: Professionalism. It's taking the "sport" out of "sportsmanship"...

Cricketers' careers and futures are on the line when they do not win...do not perform. ESPECIALLY in front of a home crowd. Home crowds expect their team to win in their own back yard, and when they don't, there is a nationwide call for heads to roll.

And it is then that "courtesy" takes a back seat.

What would have happened had McCullum been courteous, gave Murali a warning and said: "Listen mate, next time that happens, you're gone"... Murali and Sangers put up another, say, 60-80 runs...highly possible. That could have made all the difference in the outcome of the match. Kiwi's lose the first test to Sri Lanka.

And the home fans? Would they have lauded McCullum for his "courtesy". I think not. They'd probably called for Adam Parore to return...And stayed away from the second test...

Anyhow, I agree. The Lankans are a very talented side, who has shown a lot of character against all odds before. Like their tour to England earlier this year: They drew the first test, LOST the second, and won the third. And we all know what happened with the ODI's. Away series to England: Drawn.

Then the South Africans toured Sri Lanka. And once again, we know what those results were. They trashed the Proteas. Yes. Sri Lanka is a team with "bounce-back-ability".

And I am sure they will.

[12th Man]

Well done Sri Lanka ! What better way to treat the Kiwi Whingers than to trash them soundly ? Despite the Kiwi commentators best efforts to ressurect the Murali chucking saga again and even the umpire wearing a white coat to counter Malinga's action.

How pathetic ! Isn' this a game after all or is there a problem with losing at home to puny Asians ??!!!

[outswing]

i dont really understand where people are coming from, when they say that Malinga's action is offputting.

Sure it is unorthodox, but hes been on the scene for a while now, and NZ have played against him before, so they should be prepared to counter act him.

As for Murali, i should think hes used to people saying things like that about him and i dont think it affects him in a negative sense at all, his action is legal within the current rules, and no matter how wierd it looks, it is legal...

[Andy Mellon]

Originally Posted by outswing

i dont really understand where people are coming from, when they say that Malinga's action is offputting.

I can see exactly where people are coming from when they say its off putting! Its a unique action and you blatantly lose sight of the ball when it effectively renders the sight-screen obsolete.

That said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with his action. Sour grapes from those people complaining about it tbh.

Congrats to Sri Lanka, btw. I'm glad they gave the Kiwis a stuffing in that last test, hopefully it'll teach Brendan McCullum that any underhand running out of number 11 batsmen is going to inspire your opposition into playing at a different level. Sri Lanka comprehensively outclassed the Kiwis at the Basin. Whilst the Kiwi bowling looked pretty good (except a slow-paced Bond in the 2nd innings), the batting looked awful whilst Chamara Silva rode his luck and played some beautiful shots to bounce back from a first test pair.

Well done Sri Lanka.

[outswing]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

I can see exactly where people are coming from when they say its off putting! Its a unique action and you blatantly lose sight of the ball when it effectively renders the sight-screen obsolete.

i know what you mean, but hes been on the scene for a while now, and batsmen playing an SL team with Malinga in it, should go out into the middle, facing Malinga, and expect the ball to come to them in the orthodox fashion they are used to.
Ive seen him being taken to the cleaners before, notably against the Indians last year, and, perhaps against the Kiwis in early January this year (the continuation of the series interrupted by the tsunami), and the batsmen didnt seem to have a problem with his action.
Ok, he has got better, but his action is still the same, its just its harder to spot the variations in technique.
Watching videos of him in action would go some way to helping solve that problem.
Having said that, i have to say that with his action, when he does get his slower ball right, it is lethal.

And i am suprised that he hasnt managed to take out an umpire with his round-arm style as well...