SL tour of SA, Dec 18 - Feb 10

[rich1uk]

Sent it to Rich1uk, Sheffield, Near Building Works.

Surprised Big Vern only has 158 Test wickets, given how long he's been around. He has the best average of any SA bowler to take 150 wickets. Never seems to have much ATG vibe, but he's in that kind of company. Maybe he needs to get up to 250 wickets.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine ... pe=bowling

he had a couple of injuries and missed a few spells i think

also reflects just how few tests SA play compared to the other top sides

[mikesiva]

Rabada opens the bowling now. Kaushal out for a duck!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pretty good on SR too. Sixth on that list (though Steyn leads everyone, so not best for SA).

[mikesiva]

Parnell comes on and gets the breakthrough!

Mendis out for 24.

Oliver continues his good start to test cricket. . He gets de silva for 12.
Oliver gets his second of the second innings! Du Plessis takes a great catch and Matthews is out for 10.

[rich1uk]

i know i am probably sounding a little like a broken record about this but something has to be done to address how many extremely one-sided tests we are seeing

i know home advantage has always been a factor but this winter there just seem to have been so many pointless games because the gulf between the two sides has been so massive

sport excels when it has both quality and competition and atm it feels like watching exhibition matches alot of the time. its great when you are a fan of the side that is dominating but even then it has to get a bit boring, this might sound a bit like sour grapes after getting humped by india but i watch alot of cricket where i am neutral, like this series, and its hard to sustain much interest when one side is basically just beating up on their opponent.

i dont have an answer to it, but i think we need to do something

[mikesiva]

Karu gets a rare Sri Lanka half century.

I believe some form of two tier cricket is the answer. The top tier I think would comprise south Africa Australia India England Pakistan and new Zealand. The bottom tier IMHO includes Sri Lanka West indies Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. The top tier should play each other more and the bottom tier should play each other more.

I am not saying there should be no cross tier series. I just don't see the point of the west indies losing series after series against stronger teams.

That said it seems that these days no team can win a series away from home. Except for South Africa of course,

Karu falls to rabada for 59.

Philander gets his wicket too. Six down.

Tea Sri Lanka 124-6.

[mikesiva]

Parnell gets his second wicket. Herath for 10.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Fortunately these big home wins have interest for the home crowd because it's good to see your home players do well. But there's nothing for anyone else.

India haven't been demolishing also rans at home, they've been beating the other best sides.

[mikesiva]

Fortunately these big home wins have interest for the home crowd because it's good to see your home players do well. But there's nothing for anyone else.

India haven't been demolishing also rans at home, they've been beating the other best sides.

Yes and as the home fans are happy then we probably shouldn't complain too much.

Parnell gets his third. Duminy with a great catch!

Tharanga out for 26.

Oliver gets his third! Kumara gone for a duck.

[mikesiva]

Sri Lanka 177 all out. Parnell 4-51, olivier 3-38.

Good work by the supporting cast.

[andy]

Problem with Parnell is, he will have a good game, then 4 bad ones, then get dropped come back 2 years later, then the cycle repeats itself...he isn't consistent enough...promising start for Oliver, he was very good f/c figures too..hope for SA in bowling department

[mikesiva]

That's a bit harsh on parnell considering he has only played five tests and averages 26 with the ball. With stats like that he at least deserves a run in the side. He should at least make the squad for the tour of new Zealand in March.

[mikesiva]

I've moved comments about AB de Villiers and the SA captaincy here....

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20716

They deserve their own thread.

South Africa's T20 prospects:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric ... 78064.html

South Africa's T20 squad:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric ... 76773.html

Sri Lanka's T20 squad:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-afric ... 76986.html

[andy]

1st t20 has been reduced to 10 overs a side due to rain

SA 30-1 after 2.3 overs

SA

Smuts
Kuhn
De Bryuen
Miller
Behardien
Ngidi
Moshele
Parnell
Phelukwayo
Phangiso
Tahir

SL

De Silva
Mendis
De Silva
Mathews
Chandimal
Dickwella
Gunartne
Kulaskera
Prasanna
Pradeep
Lakmal

[Making_Splinters]

I assume this game doesn't still count as an international T20 fixture?