1st Test: New Zealand v Sri Lanka at Wellington, Dec 15-19 2018 - MATCH DRAWN

[KeepingTheFaith]

Wagner is a guy who can make something happen by hitting the deck hard. Not so sure this is the type of pitch for that.

 

[Meth]

this looks like a suburban ground, lots of grass to sit around, not many stands

It is a traditional ground, the Basin Reserve. A bit like Hagley in Christchurch, except not as placid with the traffic circling the ground all day. We've already had two sirens.

 

[Meth]

Wagner is a guy who can make something happen by hitting the deck hard. Not so sure this is the type of pitch for that.

He's the king of plodders (don't mean that in a derogatory way)

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Stats are a funny thing.

They make Wagner look like a world class bowler (150 wickets @28.5) and De Grandplod a quality all rounder (30 with bat, 28.5 with ball).

And yet.....

 

[hineyrulz]

I'm waiting for Wagner to hit his big toe.

 

[Meth]

This is a very good partnership between Matthews and Karunaratne. Matthews has come in and steadied the ship (and just played a beautiful shot) and Karunaratne has held his nerve despite wickets tumbling around him. A good hour of concentration (despite a lapse or two) and they'll be feeling a bit happier at the end of the session.

CDG on the other hand.

 

[Meth]

Remember when Wagner first came in and it was said that he was going to be 140+

 

[Meth]

Give Patel an over before lunch

 

[hineyrulz]

LOL Wagner will never get an LBW with the way that he bowls.

 

[JJ]

Remember when Wagner first came in and it was said that he was going to be 140+

Yeah he was talked up in so many respects

He's been good and will come into his own in this dec as it flattens. Like most, I don't really get why. But he will, no mistake

 

[Meth]

NZ on top, but the foot on the throat is not being as rigorously applied.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Gave Warnie a call and he assures me that Sri Lanka are essentially 100-5 at this point, which admittedly is better than the 5-29 they were sitting on over an hour ago.

 

[Meth]

LOL Wagner will never get an LBW with the way that he bowls.

I'll have you know that LBW's account for 4.6% of Mr. Wagner's Test wickets.

 

[_snafu_]

Looks like a suburban playing surface too...

Fortress Brookvale quality.

 

[jargan83]

Big recovery here from Sri Lanka after being 3/9

 

[Meth]

Yeah. Sri Lanka's 4th, 5th and 6th wickets are their most prized. But they've probably dragged it back to even now.

Wagner with some heat on Matthews now.

 

[Meth]

I definitely agree with Ian Smith here. Time for Ajaz Patel. Nothing is happening right now with de Grandhomme.

 

[Meth]

Wagner's bowling ok here- somewhat all sizzle, no steak, but he's generating some heat. Still, we need a breakthrough here and I'm not sure Wagner's the guy that'll get it.

 

[Meth]

Here's Ajaz

 

[typicalfan]

I used to love when a quick bowler went around the wicket like this, it takes so many modes of dismissal out and takes more energy out of the bowler.