NZ v Sri Lanka

[Legglancer]

Well credit has to be given to the Sri Lankans for outplaying New Zealand in every department except in maybe fielding. I predicted
this outcome sometime ago as the SL seem to have a hold on the NZ team in the recent past( SL: 17 NZ:3) in addition to Jayasuriya's affinity to NZ bowling.

That having been said SL's middle order still looks quite fragile and inconsistant. Perticularly Impessive performance's by Vass and Gunaraten has to be noted.

The main disheartening factor about NZ were their batsman's inability to cope under pressure. Astle's run out precipitated the rut. And Harris with all his experience inexcusably compounded New Zealand's chances by getting bogged down at a crucial time.

Personnaly I felt profoundly sorry for Styris for for such a great innings he had to end up in the losers side which probably in turn negated his chances getting the MOM award.

 

[anzac]

well so far my concerns for this group are proving accurate even after 2 games - the WIndies proving they are going to be contenders by beating the hosts, and SL dealing to NZ!!!!

IMO the Kiwis were already heading for defeat when they misread the pitch and made their selections! :duh:

They were obviously expecting more pace & bounce, & instead got a slower pitch on which the ball sat up & got dispatched. I don't think the bowling was as bad as it was made out to be, but one thing that did concern me was the inability of the bowlers to make the required adjustment in length. It was as if they were hell bent on proving their theory was right and the conditions were wrong, where as the SL seamers bowled a fuller length and got the rewards!!! :duh:

Yes Jayasuriya had some luck on his side re the caught behind, and he certainly cashed in on his good fortune. Likewise Tillekeratne played a very Dravid type anchor role and provided the backbone to the SL innings.

Regardless of this tactical error, the application of the Kiwi top order was dismal yet again & I must sound like a broken record about this aspect. The only batsman to show anything of the resistance & application required was Styris, who continued with the form shown in the Indian series. Stand up & take a bow. Hey maybe he should open - can't be any worse than what is going on now???????

I do not agree with the selection of only 4 specialist batsmen when the top order is so prone to collapse (especially when Sinclair was the only specialist to show any form V India), and likewise I disagree with the role of Vincent as 'keeper.

The odds are now very much against NZ making it thru' to the next round, and I hope this will force the selectors to reappraise their future squad & selections - especially the batting lineup!!!!

The last thing I want to see happen is for NZ to reappraise their decision re Kenya in an act of desperation to gain qualification. If they play that match it will make a mockery of NZ cricket & heap further shame & disgrace upon them. To reverse their stance would be to place this competition & financial rewards above their concerns for player safety - and this at a time when England are stepping up their stance re Zimbabwe, and we have seen the brave protest from Flower & Olonga.

NZ would have absolutely no credibility in anyone's eyes and thoroughly deserve any & all repercussions / derision / sledging they would receive!!! I would not watch that match and would hope they would not gain qualification!!!!! :!( I would rather they went down fighting & their progress be based upon their ability / inability to beat the other contenders!!!!

:alien384:

 

[full_length]

Fleming's comment that they will definitely reconsider the Kenya decision itself is damning.

If they decide to go to Kenya now, they are saying that they are willing to compromise on the players' security for four points in the WC, given their earlier stand.
Since they claimed that the Kenya decision was purely motivated on security they'd be hardpressed to explain how the security situation lightened up over the Lanka match
:rolleyes:

 

[anzac]

the latest reports indicate that it is unlikely that the Kiwis will be going to Kenya - thank God !!!!