Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – 2nd Test – Preview - Part 1
Following their embarrassing capitulation at Galle, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 for the final time in the ongoing tour, at the P Sara Oval, Colombo, November 25, 2012.
The Kiwis are certainly experiencing one of their worst cricketing seasons, where they have shown considerable frailties against all types of spin. A defeat in the upcoming match will ensure that they have lost their last three-away series by an overwhelming
2-0 margins.
After succumbing to the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the last couple of months, few had given them a chance to improve their showings against the Lankans, and so far, they have hardly shown any intentions of changing that pattern.
Even though their progress in the early parts of tour was halted by rain, their performance at Galle has against put a question mark on their ability to tackle quality spin. They managed 221 in the first innings, and despite sharing the honours following
the conclusion of the opening two days, their third day’s outing was abysmal to say the least.
They were routed on a lowly 118, and left the Lankans with any easy task to complete victory. The home side duly obliged by cruising to a 10-wicket win. Taylor identified the need to play attacking cricket as the mantra for success but their obvious weakness
against spin was easily picked up by their opponents, with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HMRKB-Herath-c1559 being their tormentor in chief.
In total, 13 wickets fell to the spinners, of which Herath accounted for 11. They will need to show more intent against slow bowlers but that does not entirely mean a counterattacking approach. Having won the all important toss, it was baffling to see them
stumble on just the third day of the match.
"In both innings he dominated our batting line up. Leading to the next game we need to come up with a plan on how we are going to combat Herath,” http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 said after the Galle defeat.
The top-order must take a leaf out of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Guptill-c1980 in the ODI series. Watling illustrated sound technique while facing the new ball and was content to weather the early storm before pressing on.
While their preparations have been hindered due to the amount of rain in the region, there could be little excuses as they have been playing on similar kind of pitches over the past 5 months. They certainly have a mental block to overcome against spin and
must do that before being sent home empty handed.
Changes are expected to the Playing XI as they look to earn their first win of the series. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JEC-Franklin-c1684 had a poor outing with both, bat and ball, and could be replaced by a specialist batsman. Rob Nicol looks the likeliest recipient of that spot, giving
the lack of batting depth in the squad.
The bowling fared well on the Galle track, which offered reasonably more than usual to the fast bowlers. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Trent-Boult-c2708. That leaves Doug Bracewell’s place up for grabs, and the decision
of whether to include a like for like change or bring in uncapped spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Neil-Wagner-c79182 are the pace-bowling option and given the nature of the Colombo track, one reckons that the Kiwis may go with a three-pace option.
New Zealand (probable XI) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JS-Patel-c1747,
11 Neil Wagner/Chris Martin
To be continued.....
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