SL Aus
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<p>Well, a gap in the NZ tour, so a chance to look at this. Not live in NZ on any channels :(</p>
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<p>A cracking series that SL were dominating. Their first series win against Aus, and only their second and third test wins against them ever.</p>
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<p>SL have recovered from 26-5 to 114-5. Australia have used both their reviews, and have started appealing for catches where balls clearly bounce on the ground. Very weird. I'd say if SL can get over 200 ,they're right back in the game as Australia's totals in the series so far have been 203, 161, 106 and 183. Not flash.</p>
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<p>Despite the batting failures, Starc has been sensational. Has taken 3 in this match, and looked bloody good doing it.</p> -
Starc is the best bowler in the world by miles. Has taken 20 odd wickets at about 11 this series, incredible figures, and even more incredible that it's in a losing effort!<br><br>
Aus can't really win here. Dead rubber so if they win people will point to that. If they lose... it gets even uglier. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="605520" data-time="1471079789">
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<p>Aus can't really win here. Dead rubber so if they win people will point to that. If they lose... it gets even uglier.</p>
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<p>They're well on their way down the gurgler. No wickets in teh session, and SL are 141/5. The pitch is starting to turn, so unless Starc can combine with a batter or two to win this game, it's over rover.</p>
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<p>Low scoring test matches are absolutely engrossing. Three fours in an over is massive damage, and drops are magnified in consequence. Great to watch as a cricket fan</p> -
I see Pakistan gave England a hiding to level the series. Younis with a double ton. He is some player - 32 100s and 30 50s at 53, highest score three hundred and fucking thirteen. He doesn't get a lot of love but those stats put him up there with the very best in tests.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="605598" data-time="1471248684">
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<p>I see Pakistan gave England a hiding to level the series. Younis with a double ton. He is some player - 32 100s and 30 50s at 53, highest score three hundred and fucking thirteen. He doesn't get a lot of love but those stats put him up there with the very best in tests.</p>
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<p>Yip 6 doubles & a triple. Staggeringly good player.</p>
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<p>Plus I assume there were a few years he didn't play due to him & Mohammed Yousef hating each other. And thwey havent had the plus of playing at home for 6 years.</p>
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<p>Its been a really good series, Pak have a great bowling unit & it was basically them v the English all rounders.</p>
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<p>Meanwile, in Colombo, Australia fell in a heap to record around a 20 run lead in the first innings. Smith and Marsh (Shaun) got tons and looked good batting. </p>
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<p>Given how the pitch is starting to play, you'd think that chasing anything of 150 will be hard, and 200+ is damn near a lock.</p>
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<p>Brettig on Cricinfo noted that Aussie progress is pleasing, as they actually had a position to squander for the first time in the series. I couldn't agree more. </p> -
<p>well, should be a cracking day today.</p>
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Sri Lanka lead by 312 with two wickets left; Australia will have to bat out the day. Brilliant ton from another Silva, with good 40's down the order from Silva and Chandimal.</p>
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<p>Australia up against it. </p>
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<p>Seems like the Aussies stumped Karutarane well after the ball was in the keepers gloves. One of the nice things about being an Aussie is you get to define where the spirit of cricket line is, and basically it's wherever you say it is. Wazzers.</p> -
<p>... also featured one of the Lankan batsmen being given out on one of those super fine possible edges where the ball almost rolls over the bat and doesn't change flight or rotation. 3rd umpire happy to give it out and overturn the on field call, but I'd be pretty annoyed if I was the batter. Hopefully the ump had audio that was better than we had on a dodgy stream to confirm that.</p>
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<p>Surely Aus on a wearing pitch can't run down 290 to win it? Be a massive turnaround if they could</p>
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<p>Aus are done. Draw or Sri Lanka win. What a disaster of a tour for them.</p>
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<p>I think NZ pitches are way too good nowadays. We should have prepared green seamers like the gool old days instead of the bloody roads we servered up last summer.</p>
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<p>Aus on a flat track = unbeatable, especially with Starc who doesn't seem to care what pitch he bowls on.</p>
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<p>Aus on a track with a bit in it = very vulnerable, Smith and to a lesser degree Warner the only ones with the technique to score runs.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="605899" data-time="1471389237">
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<p>Surely Aus on a wearing pitch can't run down 290 to win it? Be a massive turnaround if they could</p>
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<p>Can't chase down 190. Maybe 90...</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="605862" data-time="1471374976">
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<p>Seems like the Aussies stumped Karutarane well after the ball was in the keepers gloves. One of the nice things about being an Aussie is you get to define where the spirit of cricket line is, and basically it's wherever you say it is. Wazzers.</p>
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<p>I disagree, I saw that and I would be gobsmacked if any other keeper didn't take the opportunity in todays game</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="605912" data-time="1471392452">
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<p>I disagree, I saw that and I would be gobsmacked if any other keeper didn't take the opportunity in todays game</p>
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<p>I saw video of that this morning and completely agree with you. My previous comment was based on online chat and commentary - I didn't see it live last night.</p>
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<p>I have been meaning to get online and update this, but have been held up by real life and stuff. FML.</p>
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<p>In other news, despite this being legit, Aussies are still wazzers.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="605912" data-time="1471392452">
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<p>I disagree, I saw that and I would be gobsmacked if any other keeper didn't take the opportunity in todays game</p>
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<p>Worryingly I agree with Hooroo - the ball was far from dead at that point.</p>
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<p>Pakistan did really well to draw 2-2 with England in what was an excellent series. There are now a few teams gunning for number 1 spot in tests and none of them are very good - or rather they all have substantial weaknesses.</p>
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<p>Pakistan - unbeatable in UAE but flaky away from there. Actually have a well rounded team compared to others.</p>
<p>India - unbeatable at home with the right pitches, pace attack not so good.</p>
<p>England - only 2 class batsmen, no spinner and a potentially world beating 6-9 in the batting order that can also collapse in a heap.</p>
<p>Australia - batting really weak (tail starts at 5), spin bowling weak.</p>
<p>South Africa - on the way down it seems, but still potentially the best team in the world on their day.</p>
<p>NZ - similar to England for strengths and weaknesses</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="605937" data-time="1471397287">
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<p>i read somewhere that sri lanka may have saved their declaration because the team due to bat in the morning gets to choose the roller used overnight?</p>
<p>so i guess its makes sense.. the middle/lower order will fold quickly..</p>
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<p>That's very clever.</p>