SL Team have scored 100

Sri Lanka 294 & 100/2 (44 ov)

Sri Lanka require another 305 runs with 8 wickets remaining

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

SL team now require less than 300 to win

Sri Lanka 294 & 108/2 (47 ov)

Sri Lanka require another 297 runs with 8 wickets remaining


SL are hitting 4's every now and then... which is great... but in between they SHOULD be pushing for singles... keeping the scoreboard ticking over... changing batter on strike to unsettle bowler as well.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Wicket.... Shame they did not halt play as rain was imminent... they have gone off now after the one wicket ball in the over.

BKG Mendis c †Watling, b Southee 46 /150 (SR 30.66)

Sri Lanka 294 & 109/3 (50.1 ov)

Sri Lanka require another 296 runs with 7 wickets remaining

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Rain report....

Plan is to get back on at 5:45.... but if they dont make it by 5:57... play will be abandoned for the day. In which case play will start early tomorrow with a view to playing 98 overs in the day.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Stumps - Day 4
Play abandoned today. Play will start a half hour early tomorrow, with 98 overs scheduled.

New Zealand 431 & 267/3d
Sri Lanka 294 & 109/3 (50.1 ov) (2.17 runs per over)

Sri Lanka require another 296 runs with 7 wickets remaining

296 runs in 98 overs is 3.02 r/o

The key is still "wickets" if SL can avoid losing wickets they can certainly make 296 runs... but NZ are favorites to win.

Of course SL can "shut up shop" if they do lose early wickets... abandon the run chase and play defensively to just use up time and so cause a draw. Any more rain (and hail) delays will then be to their benefit.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Last day... the match could end quickly with wickets falling early... or else it could be a day of "exciting" cricket... with ether side in with a chance to win... or perhaps SL hanging in there to play out the day and save the game... get a draw.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Day 5

New Zealand 431 & 267/3d
Sri Lanka 294 & 109/3 (50.1 ov)

Sri Lanka require another 296 runs with 7 wickets, 7 hours and 98 overs remaining

I checked the weather, Rumpole. Looks like the 20% chance of rain isn't until around 4:00-5:00.

Rigor Richardson says "weather is good"

I was hoping he would have the flu.. or have been run over on the way to the ground... shame!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

LOL! You are bad!

The cameras were showing a drone view the other day, most of the campus and Mark said "Looks like the tennis courts are getting a bit of a sprinkle." My ears perked up, I thought he meant it was starting to rain but it was only the grounds getting watered. The other announcer said "That's a soccer field."

I do think SL need to get off their asses and score a few runs... just a few singles... they could be requiring only <200 by lunch time... if they lose no wickets... game will be ON!! 3 r/o would be OK... more would be a bonus...

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

With 3 slips and a gully and other fielders in close for catches...... there are vast areas to hit the ball and score runs..... doing so will cause the field to be spread... and so not so many close in fielders to get the batsman out.. batting becomes easier to survive.

With 2 other close catchers.. 3 slips, a gully, bowler, wicket keeper in close. That only leaves 3 players to patrol the rest of the field....

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

That makes perfect sense.

This is my uneducated, novice thought. I don't see any wickets falling until SL batsmen get aggressive. I think this is when it will start happening. How many times do you see good scoring, back to back 4s and then an out?

So I want SL to start scoring also, for this reason (only, lol).

The reason there are 8 players in close is that it is likely that the batsman will play a false shot.. even if only defending...... nick a ball that can be caught in close.. or miss-hit to a close fielder. If the SL survive that and score a few runs.... the field will change. Later in a test innings you might see just 1 or even none... slip fielders. The fielding side may then TRY and cut off easy singles.. at the moment there are plenty of places to hit the ball and get a single.... of course playing shots like that can go wrong and batsman could be out.. there has to be some caution... but I still think SL could and should be scoring about 3 r/o

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

The 4's are GREAT.... but... but... if they also ran a few singles each over... they would be a LOT better off.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Smithy is opining on when NZ will start to get nervous...... so far SL doing well.... NZ may well start to worry soon

Watch for less slip fielders and more defensive field placements.

I see only 2 slip fielders at the moment.. but its Bracewell, not Boult.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

It looks like SL are doing what I suggested.. smart guys

RR for last 10 overs, after 60.1 overs (so just today since yesterday ended at 50.1)....

Last 10 ovs 32/0 RR 3.20
Min overs remaining 87.5

3.2 is excellent...

Scorecard
New Zealand 431 & 267/3d
Sri Lanka 294 & 141/3 (60.1 ov)

Sri Lanka require another 264 runs with 7 wickets remaining

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

IF SL do win.. I bet all the Monday morning quarterbacks will be dissing McCullum... for declaring too soon.

I think IF SL win that in fact adds kudos to McCullum... Not many (none) captains are prepared to make a declaration that gives the opposition a chance.. and so many Tests end in draws. McCullum is to be praised whatever the result.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I'll take a maiden wicket at this point.

I don't think anyone's getting nervous this early.

You are... It's a "Wicket maiden"

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Runs required <200....................


Sri Lanka require another 248 runs with 7 wickets remaining

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light