1st Test: New Zealand v Sri Lanka @ Christchurch Mar 9-13, 2023

[TheParraboy]

Kicks off tomorrow (Thursday) 9am

Some damming stats for the kiwis last couple of years, compared to the previous couple where they romped into the WTC Final and became test champions

Stats - Defending champions New Zealand's sharp slide in a forgettable WTC cycle

Drawing a blank overseas, slumping pacers and wasting home advantage have left them at eighth out of nine teams in the points table

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Meth]

NZ win the toss and bowl. Sri Lanka with a defensive start, but they've just lost their first wicket. Southee gets Fernando

14/1

 

[bazza]

If NZ let SL win does that knock India or Australia out of the WTC final?

 

[JJ]

If NZ let SL win does that knock India or Australia out of the WTC final?

Think SL need to win 2-0 to have any chance...

 

[JJ]

Sri Lanka racing along at 96/1 now, I haven't seen any, but unless the wicket is pretty green why are we bowling - not like we have Hadlee or even Boult there

 

[JJ]

Have I mentioned recently how bog average Tickner is in domestic cricket - everyone has their ceiling, his is about 2 levels below this, thanks selectors

 

[JJ]

And Wagner 2 overs for 22... maybe just save him for day 4 and 5 if things are tight

 

[hineyrulz]

Wagner finally getting treated his bowling deserves.

 

[JJ]

Wagner finally getting treated his bowling deserves.

I think all those overs at Wade have ground him down

 

[Bazal]

MendisBall?

 

[hineyrulz]

I think all those overs at Wade have ground him down

Like a wave beating on a rock!!

 

[AlwaysGreen]

If NZ let SL win does that knock India or Australia out of the WTC final?

If SL wins 2 zip India are out. Our last win guaranteed our spot in the final.

 

[Bazal]

Like a wave beating on a rock!!

Like a Wade beating on a rock*

With his head

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Wagner was born to be a bazball bowler.
Unfortunately he's 10 years too late.
He could have taken 500 wickets at an economy rate of 15.32 in 150 tests if he was born a decade later.

 

[TheParraboy]

Think SL need to win 2-0 to have any chance...

CORRECT

Australia are guaranted one spot

However (drum roll)

India are currectly on 60.29 percentage in second spot, Lose to Australia (4th test) it drops to 56.9%
SL win one test v kiwis they got to 52,78, Win 2-0 they go to 57.58 and into the Final

Happy days

 

[Meth]

Sri Lanka racing along at 96/1 now, I haven't seen any, but unless the wicket is pretty green why are we bowling - not like we have Hadlee or even Boult there

I think it is pretty green. Sri Lanka have just batted well.

 

[Sphagnum]

Every country is just going to play Bazball against NZ now. They crack under the pressure.

 

[JJ]

I think it is pretty green. Sri Lanka have just batted well

Wagner has been terrible for a while now, Southee also - with Jamieson hurt and Boult variously unavailable/not selected our bowling attack is pretty bleh - Henry and Southee mediocre, the rest terrible

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Every country is just going to play Bazball against NZ now. They crack under the pressure.

Except for the last test?

 

[Meth]

Wagner has been terrible for a while now, Southee also - with Jamieson hurt and Boult variously unavailable/not selected our bowling attack is pretty bleh - Henry and Southee mediocre, the rest terrible

Bit harsh on Southee? I think he's going fine.