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Sri Lanka v New Zealand | 2nd Test | Colombo | November 25-29, 2012

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http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-new-zealand-2012/content/current/story/592705.html

Preview

The second Test at the P Sara Oval finds the two teams heading in seemingly opposite directions. Sri Lanka had not won a Test series in three years until they defeated Pakistan at home in July, and if a manful recovery with the bat and ruthlessness with the ball in the Galle Test are any indication, they are a side who have reclaimed the fight they had misplaced following the 2011 World Cup and have begun to make winning a habit again. 



Sri Lanka's pace bowlers were effective on a dry surface, landing heavy blows on New Zealand's top order before Rangana Herath arrived to deliver the coup de grace. Herath himself continues to progress, having become the top wicket-taker in 2012 with his 11 wickets in Galle. Sri Lanka may also have uncovered a fast bowler with enough command of pace, seam and reverse swing to become a potential long-term spearhead in Shaminda Eranga. Their batting also seems less prone to the sporadic collapses that plagued them in the 12 months before the Pakistan series. 



New Zealand meanwhile, have slid to their worst losing streak since 1955. Their batsmen have been working on their technique against spin in the nets since their three-day loss, but even the two extra days may not be enough to rebound from a performance as woeful as their 118 all out in their second innings in Galle. Though they are short on time to vastly improve their techniques, they must acquire the psychological steel to survive at the crease for long periods against fine bowling. Their plight may not be as hopeless as it seems, as the bouncier P Sara pitch will assist their seam bowlers in the same way it assisted England's in March, when they squared their two-match series with Sri Lanka, after also losing the first match in Galle.

For Sri Lanka, this Test shapes as a doubly crucial fixture, as it may be their only real test before their first Test against Australia in Hobart. The considerable talent in New Zealand's fast bowling unit was evident in Galle, and with the Canberra pitch on which Sri Lanka are scheduled to play their only warm-up match having a reputation for being on the slow side, the bouncy Colombo venue might serve as an opportunity for the team to pre-tune their techniques before they land in Australia. It may also give the hosts the opportunity to settle on a first-choice seam-bowling unit for the Tests to come, or at least, a chance to gauge how effective Nuwan Kulasekara's new ball partnership with Eranga might be Down Under.
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Form guide

Sri Lanka: WDDWL (Most recent first)
New Zealand: LLLLL

Player to watch

Doug Bracewell has been one of New Zealand's most consistent performers since making his debut just over a year ago, but he was unable to find the right length in Galle and went wicketless while his teammates prospered. But unlike Galle, the P Sara pitch often rewards hit-the-deck bowling and Bracewell's back-of-a-length seamers may be more effective this time round.



Suraj Randiv was put under some pressure by chief selector Ashantha de Mel, who said his place in the XI might be under threat if he does not have a good first Test. He too was less successful than his teammates in the first Test, despite bowling some tight spells, but the selectors seem to have backed him in the end, naming him in the squad to Australia as the second spinner. Sri Lanka are unlikely to leave him out in Colombo unless the pitch is uncharacteristically green, and a bagful of wickets there will do his confidence some good. 




Teams news

Tillakaratne Dilshan has been passed fit and Dimuth Karunaratne will make way for him. Karunaratne's second innings 60 in Galle has put some pressure on Tharanga Paranavitana though and Paranavitana will be keen to embed himself in that second opener's spot, which is the only position in the Sri Lanka batting order that isn't nailed down at present. 


Kulasekara and Eranga are the likely new-ball pair, and Chanaka Welegedara will only play if a third seamer is deemed necessary. 



Sri Lanka (probable): 1. Tillakaratne Dilshan/Dimuth Karunaratne, 2. Tharanga Paranavitana, 3. Kumar Sangakkara, 4. Mahela Jayawardene (c), 5. Thilan Samaraweera, 6. Angelo Mathews, 7. Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8. Nuwan Kulasekara, 9. Suraj Randiv, 10. Rangana Herath, 11. Shaminda Eranga.



Tim Southee, whose terrific second-day spell breathed life into the first Test, is also doubtful for the second. New Zealand have two more seam bowlers in their ranks, but have said legspinner Todd Astle might get a debut - particularly if Southee cannot play.

James Franklin had a woeful first Test with the bat, as epitomised by his 44-ball 3 in the first innings, and New Zealand may consider dropping him to play five bowlers.

New Zealand (probable): 1. Martin Guptill, 2. Brendon McCullum, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Daniel Flynn, 6. James Franklin/ Todd Astle, 7. Kruger van Wyk, 8. Doug Bracewell, 9. Tim Southee/Todd Astle, 10. Jeetan Patel, 11. Trent Boult



Pitch and conditions

The Colombo weather has largely held over the past week or so, and the only showers have been in the evening. A little more rain is forecast for the coming week, but if it follows the recent pattern, it may not have a major effect on the cricket. However, being November, there is always the chance of a front moving in and bedding down.

Stats and trivia

The victory in Galle was Sri Lanka's fourth Test win since Muttiah Muralitharan retired in July 2010

Before the Mumbai Test between England and India began, Rangana Herath was leading Graeme Swann by one wicket in 2012, with 46 victims. Herath had played four fewer Tests

Tim Southee's has an average of 26.23 for 2012, while his career average is 37.85. He has more wickets (17) and a better economy rate (3.16) this year than in any preceding calendar year

The P Sara Oval has had only one draw since 1993, but New Zealand were involved in that occasion in 2003, when Stephen Fleming hit an unbeaten 274.

Quotes

"We're not thinking we can't compete with them. We think we can win this Test match and that's what we're going out to do. Everyone needs to step up, learn from what happened in Galle and move forward."


Tim Southee on what New Zealand aim to achieve in Colombo

" We will definitely look to keeping the Kiwis under pressure as they have the firepower with both bat and ball so there's no room for any complacency."


Mahela Jayawardene isn't letting his team take it easy
 
If Southee is out that will be a huge blow for NZ.
 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/7992034/Southee-set-to-start-as-batsmen-seek-mojo

Tim Southee, should be fit for tomorrow's second and final test against Sri Lanka. The swing bowler took 4-46 in Sri Lanka's first innings in Galle but did not mark out his run in the second because of a groin strain. But Southee came through training yesterday and declared himself a likely starter as the beleaguered Black Caps try to claw themselves off the canvas.

Southee claimed the tourists had "trained the house down" since arriving in Colombo. "One thing over here is you're never short of net bowlers," Southee said. So there's plenty of spin being thrown down to the boys at training. We've trained well in the last couple of days and hopefully they can take that out into the middle, along with some confidence and show what we are actually capable of. We're going to do our best to go out and do a performance that's worthy of the Black Caps."

New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has forecast changes and James Franklin and Doug Bracewell appear most under threat. Waiting in the wings are Rob Nicol, Todd Astle, Neil Wagner and Chris Martin. New Zealand Cricket chairman Chris Moller yesterday said coach Mike Hesson would be hauled in for a "please explain" on return to the country.
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It looks like Southee will most likely play tomorrow?
 
Ah, that's good news then. He's the form bowler.

Still, the seamers ain't the problem. If the bats can put up 300 in the first innings minimum, then we're talking.
 
Yeah NZ were right in it half way through the game and then completely screwed it up starting with McCullum gifting his wicket away. Had a couple of bats hung around a bit and the rest chipped in should have been able to put up around a 200 total to defend. I reckon that would have tested the SL bats.
 
The news from the centre is that New Zealand have won the toss and they will bat first. They are leaving out James Franklin and a debut is being handed out to Todd Astle. For Sri Lanka, Tillakaratne Dilshan comes back into the squad after missing out the last match due to a back injury. Dimuth Karunaratne, who scored an emphatic half-century in the second innings in Galle, has to sit out.
 
Taylor and Williamson looking well in control.
 
In my heart of hearts I know there's going to be that crazy over where we'll lose three quick ones. But not for the moment. Taylor 71* and KWill 54*
 
This patch of cricket is probably the best I have seen NZ play in a while. Hitting the bad balls, blocking the good ones and getting to the pitch of the spin.

Jinxing it probably.
 
Good to see Todd Astle getting a test debut. Was a very good opening batsman at school although haven't seen much of him as a legspinner though.
 
Great knock by Ross Taylor. Hes the only quality batsman in this side.

He always bounces back with a good hundred after a bad run.
 
Great 100 by Taylor and a top knock by Williamson as well just 5 off his ton. NZ in control.
 
Good to see NZL play so well today, despite not winning a game so far on the tour NZL can be very happy if they draw the test series by winning this game. I hope they do.

Don't know how good a bat Astle is but I reckon Kruger Van Wyk is coming in way too high at No.6, they need better batsmen than him at that spot, in fact NZL would do well to find a better WKB than Kruger going forward.

is there any chance Ryder will be back in the team??? He'll add great value to this team.
 
Good thing Williamson kept his cool and didnt try to get a century at the last over

:shakib
 
flat pitch & rain forecast .... on top of it,good score by visitors . a draw ?
 
sam_ahm said:
Good to see NZL play so well today, despite not winning a game so far on the tour NZL can be very happy if they draw the test series by winning this game. I hope they do.

Don't know how good a bat Astle is but I reckon Kruger Van Wyk is coming in way too high at No.6, they need better batsmen than him at that spot, in fact NZL would do well to find a better WKB than Kruger going forward.

is there any chance Ryder will be back in the team??? He'll add great value to this team.
Click to expand...

We've managed to collapse in a steaming heap with specialist batsmen at 6 plenty of times before anyway, it's worth more to us to have the extra full-time bowling option.
 
We could get 600 in the first innings and a loss would still be a possibility for this NZ team.
 
Oh well done Kane!

Rooting for you lad!

Guppy and Kane are my two favorite NZ batsmen.

I also like Southee, Boult and Bracewell of course for their bowling.
 
Top knock by Williamson. NZ racking up the runs. :42:
 
Does any Kiwi want to explain to me why Flynn still has a career as a Test Batsman?

My last main memory of him is getting wrecked by a bouncer by Anderson, and then fading away for a long time.
 
Oh god did i just see a commercial with Danny Morrison doing the haka. How embarrassing.
 
Ruri said:
Does any Kiwi want to explain to me why Flynn still has a career as a Test Batsman?

My last main memory of him is getting wrecked by a bouncer by Anderson, and then fading away for a long time.
Click to expand...

He was dropped for quite some time but John Wright brought him back.

He is actually one of the more talented NZ batsman around but hasn't been able to put it together mentally.
 
Another 100 odd runs and NZ will be able to dictate terms. 400+ will test the SL bats.
 
Great work by Taylor and Williamson. Now it's up to the rest to chip in. Herath getting SL back into the game .... Again.
 
Wickets tumbling here. NZ undoing all the hard work.
 
Todd Astle on debut here. He can bat and started his career as an opening batsman.
 
In saying that hes been focusing mostly on legspin for the last 4 years or so.
 
This collapse was always on the cards. Still, not a bad score by the usual Blackcraps standards. Might push the Lankans here with a couple of quick Southee/Boult wickets.
 
And Rosco needs to put away that ridiculous slog sweep on one knee. Gets him out on more occasions than it gets him runs.
 
There is lot of overs left in the game. The pitch is still good. Nz need to carry on and grind more here.
 
Good stuff by Flynn. Its not pretty but this NZ batting line up needs to find a solid backbone.
 
So we're going to score four hundred. Four. Hundred. When was the last time this happened?
 
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