New Zealand 206/6 (40 ov)

It is not out of the question to make 100 in last 10 overs... IMO NZ need to do that.

I still think 300 is a par score on this wicket.

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I feel good about it.

At least this partnership has a higher SR than previous ones.
(I know that is not stated correctly but you know what I mean.)

83 & 86
--------------------
Oops!

MJ Santner run out 38 (46b 2x4 1x6) SR: 82.60

Santner out.

SOMEBODY needs to bash a few big overs

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Craig McMillan, the New Zealand batting coach: It is a good opportunity for the middle order, and the bowlers are keen to have a hit. We haven't had big partnerships. Would have loved to see Santner play a few more overs. He could have done the damage.

coulda, shoulda, woulda

Wish Craig McMillan was out there batting

He could score 50 or so off last few overs.

_________________
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Lunch - Innings Break

New Zealand 276/8 (50 ov) RR 5.52


Target for Sri Lanka 277

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It will make for an exciting (to me) Sri Lanka innings... as it can go either way.

Now, if NZ's fielders and bowlers will show up in excellent form, we will see some early wickets

Yes 250+ makes a game of things.

But I stand by my assessment that 300 is par. A competent international side should make 277. Teams play T20 etc so SR of 5 is not a big ask from outset.

key is wickets... If SL get to 15 overs 1 or none down... it will be an achievement.

Score almost doesn't matter, but 75 or more will be OK

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Shoulda......


NZ shoulda treated THEIR innings as if they had a target set... of 300 (at least) and batted more like SL are now.

Sri Lanka RR 9.00

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I am not too unhappy about SL winning this... showing they ARE a competent International side... makes for a more interesting series

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After watching this bit of batting, I totally agree.

Most of the time, I think "may the best team win" .. unless it's a world cup or something.
Then I want a fluke or miracle for MY team to win.

I'm going to hold my breath until NZ gets a wicket.

They could well get over 100 by 15 over mark

They are playing as Rumpole suggests... PROPER SR...... over 100%



Danushka Gunathilaka (lhb) 42/23 SR 182.60
Tillakaratne Dilshan (rhb) 16 /17 SR 94.11

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Here is an idea.....

Assume Taylor is hopeless.

We know that McCullum is retiring. The opening partnership of Guptil and Latham is OK for ODI.. it has a cosistency since its what we use for Tests.

So.... why not leave that opening pair even when McCullum comes back.

Slot McCullum into Taylor's spot at #4 and DROP TAYLOR

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Great idea.

After looking at the NZ innings scoring during break, it is pathetic that Taylor is playing at all. Stick him at the bottom of the line-up. I'm wondering how it coulda turned out if Southee was #4 today.

NO POINT sticking Taylor at bottom of line up????

He is only in the team as a batsman.... he is not even much cop as a fielder... he drops catches.

Southee is just a basher... but that is a GOOD person to have at the end of the Game.. Southee is in team as bowler.. but does that bash at end role too. Taylor could not do that even.. he is just hopeless.

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Gunathilaka is out.. but he did his bit for the team SR 144

MD Gunathilaka c Taylor b McClenaghan 65 (45b 7x4 4x6) SR: 144.44

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Dilshan is doing OK.. close to SR 100
He could perhaps up that a bit now.

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And they are NOT going to drop Taylor. That was my own little scenario

I know Southee is a bowler but I'd rather see a basher than a slacker.

As a a tactic there has been "Pinch hitters" (Bashers) moved up the order.... even used as openers.... IMO it fails more often than it works. Having McCullum open (and play aggressively) is kinda based on that.. but of course he is better than just a basher.

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Dilshan out... shame he deserved a century

TM Dilshan run out 91 (92b 9x4 0x6) SR: 98.91

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