The kiwis are in Sri Lanka

The flyslip may have dozed off during the Pak series but we are well and truly on for the NZ tour.

They’ve actually snuck in through the backdoor while SL were sowing up the last stitches on the Pak tour. You cant help but feel that SL have taken the foot off the pedal in the last 3 games they have played.

The kiwis however offer a fresh challenge.

Strangely SL do not have that good a record against them at home. The last time the islanders were there, was way back in 2003. SL was captained by Hashan Tilakaratne. Remember him ?

If you are thinking, ‘the one with the big bum’. You are right.

Fleming was still playing. And well too. He put up a mammoth 274 in Colombo. Bond was actually an international player. There were no 2020s and no IPL or Jesse Ryder.

Them were simple times.

The Kiwis didn’t loose that time either. Got offย  Scot- free with 2 draws. Even 13 wickets in 2 games by Murali couldn’t make them heel.

NZ actually had a good team back then. Led by Fleming and included batters like Styris, Horne and Oram.

Their attack had Bond and Vetorri.

Times have changed now though. And so have teams.ย  SL are ranked 3rd in the world. The Kiwis are possibly playing some of their weakest test cricket.

But don’t let that fool you. Pakistan had plenty of chances to kill off SL in at least one of the tests but failed to take their opportunities.

SL’s batting is dodgy as ever and good fast bowling could expose them.

The clear difference between the two teams is the bowling line ups – a clue as to who will win the tests lie here.

SL have the variety of Kulesekara with his swing and seam and Thushara with his holding line different angle.

Then there is the spin arsenal in Murali, Herath and Mendis.

The kiwis will rely alot on Martin and O’brien and Vetorri. But the key might be the kind of series and more importantly the mood Oram is in. If he does not turn to jelly or dehydrate to death he might hold the aces for them.

Add to this they are being led by the wrong man. I don’t think Mccullum has a clue on how to lead this team and his battle with the more experienced Sangakkara will be pivotal too.

So by all counts SL are favorites to win at home. But they were in 2003 too.

5 Comments

  1. Chavie said:

    lol, I love the new quiz! ๐Ÿ˜€ ๐Ÿ˜‰

    August 13, 2009
    Reply
  2. Ben said:

    Looking forward to a good little series.

    That’s some nice analysis of where New Zealand stand. We really are struggling now, whereas in 2003 we were at a peak of confidence. We’ll be relying on our fresh batting line up to make an impact. (You’ll have noticed that our entire top order has changed since 2003 โ€“ six years is a long time I suppose.) Then asking that our bowlers hold their own. It sounds like that might be backwards considering Sri Lanka’s strengths and weaknesses.

    I wouldn’t be looking for Oram to make much of a dent with the ball. He’s not a strike bowler. O’Brien could surprise you as he looks so inoffensive, but he really works hard. Martin is our best bet for taking wickets, though his away strike rate is very poor.

    Vettori is captain by the way, though McCullum has his eyes on the job.

    August 14, 2009
    Reply
  3. Leg Break said:

    Not only 6 years since the last tour to Sri Lanka but almost that long since the last tour to Asia (not counting Bangladesh)

    We toured India, for another mini-series, later in 2003.

    August 14, 2009
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  4. damiths said:

    Chav< Thanks, n get voting ! Ben> You are right the Kiwis are barely recognizable now. But I think you are right in that their bowling might be their strength.

    If the kiwis get their fast men on song it might be a close series because our batting is so dodgy from one day to the other.

    Legbreak> good to see you on here buddy. it should be quite the event. Im hoping its a close series at least there wont be any pakistan like collapses, i hope !

    August 15, 2009
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  5. greyblazer said:

    I don’t think he would get picked but for me Elliot’s style of playing late when compared to other players including Oram means that he can play as on the slower wickets of Sri lanka the batsmen have to play as late as they can. It is about horses for courses.

    I also believe if included Tuffey may do ok on the wickets in Lanka .

    August 16, 2009
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