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

[Meth]

Williamson failing again. Miserable NZ Summer, apart from one sparkling innings. 6, 0, 4, 132, 1

 

[Meth]

Nicholls must be pretty close to last chance saloon here.

 

[JJ]

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

In the last few years his record has dropped, but yeah he's been good, he and Henry holding things together - stubbornly not picking Boult is ridiculous...

Stubbornly picking Nicholls is also ridiculous

 

[Meth]

Sri Lanka firmly on top now as Blundell departs. Too many failures in the NZ top order- most noticeably, Williamson and Nicholls. Need the tail to wag and even then, we may end up behind.

 

[edabomb]

Nicholls must be pretty close to last chance saloon here.

Surely they'll ride his average down to 32 territory. He's a Cantab after all, deserves another 3 series.

 

[JJ]

Glad Larsen is gone tbh, selection is a real issue now.

Nicholls clearly has to be dropped, Tickner should never have been in the same postcode as a test team, Bracewell similar, and Wagner can’t have too many more chances

Ajaz needs to play, and Boult should be selected whenever available. Then should Young open and Conway bat 4, or are we better with Young, Phillips or someone else at 4-5?

personally I think we give Young a steady role as opener and a 3-4 punch of Willamson and Conway or vice versa is world class

 

[Meth]

Sri Lanka firmly on top now as Blundell departs. Too many failures in the NZ top order- most noticeably, Williamson and Nicholls. Need the tail to wag and even then, we may end up behind.

And the tail is wagging, sparing NZ blushes. Mitchell tracking towards Test ton #5 and some very useful cameos from Bracewell 25, Southee 25 and now Henry 11*...Sri Lanka's lead now 90, with NZ 264/7

 

[JJ]

They keep saying we’re shit because we’ve lost Taylor and Watling…. But in terms of runs (no question those two bring intangibles) Conway, Mitchell and Blundell have more than covered for them…. The persistence with Nicholls, the injury to Jamieson, the unwillingness to pick Boult, a different unwillingness to pick Patel, the loss of big Colin and Wagner’s apparent demise are the actual issues imo

 

[JJ]

And for all the attention on Conway (deserved) Mitchell has been at least as good

 

[Meth]

Great century from Mitchell. Patient and disciplined, 100 off 187 balls.

 

[JJ]

Good century for Mitchell

 

[Meth]

They keep saying we’re shit because we’ve lost Taylor and Watling…. But in terms of runs (no question those two bring intangibles) Conway, Mitchell and Blundell have more than covered for them…. The persistence with Nicholls, the injury to Jamieson, the unwillingness to pick Boult, a different unwillingness to pick Patel, the loss of big Colin and Warner’s apparent demise are the actual issues imo

Yeah, I think at our best, our bowling unit of Southee/Boult (as a partnership), Jamieson and Wagner (who I assume you meant lol) was the key. Effectively losing 3 of those 4 is massive. Williamson is brilliant, but not as reliable.

 

[Meth]

Henry with back to back boundaries to move to 20*

The bowlers' batting has been crucial

 

[Meth]

Mitchell departs. Big wicket for Sri Lanka

 

[Meth]

300 up

48 runs behind. 2 wickets behind

 

[Meth]

Wagner and (more so) Henry going a bit berzerk and getting away with it. 22 runs in 4 balls. Henry now with another boundary and he's on 47*

NZ 328/8

Must be really frustrating for Sri Lanka

 

[Meth]

This is wild.

NZ have a lead. Henry on 72*

 

[edabomb]

Yeah the persistence with Nicholls and Bracewell actually cost us test matches in England.

Based on skill Bracewell should be batting 9 or 10.

 

[JJ]

With Jamieson and Boult out, and Wagner, Nicholls and Bracewell bring shithouse, Matt Henry has quickly become indispensable

if he or Southee get hurt we’re so f**ked

 

[Meth]

Aaaaand Henry is gone. 360/9