New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Christchurch, 9-13 March, 2023

As this game starts, Lanka are still a chance to make the WTC Final. Needs Aus to beat India in T4 and SL to win both Test v NZ.

Personally, I can't see SL dominating NZ.

Snoozers have certainly dipped over the last couple of years, but if they lose at home to SL it will still be a massive shock. Surely seam-friendly pitches await.

Too easy for NZ. Boult back?

lardbucket wrote:Too easy for NZ. Boult back?

Doesn’t look like it, think he’s rejected a central contract in favour of the franchise circus so remains to be seen if he ever plays another Test.

skully wrote:As this game starts, Lanka are still a chance to make the WTC Final. Needs Aus to beat India in T4 and SL to win both Test v NZ.

Personally, I can't see SL dominating NZ.

The fact that a moderate team like Sri Lanka even has a hypothetical chance of making the final shows how deeply flawed the world test championship is.

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:As this game starts, Lanka are still a chance to make the WTC Final. Needs Aus to beat India in T4 and SL to win both Test v NZ.

Personally, I can't see SL dominating NZ.

The fact that a moderate team like Sri Lanka even has a hypothetical chance of making the final shows how deeply flawed the world test championship is.

A reflection of the standard overall really. Giving 4- and 5-match series individual match weightings has screwed England and threatened to do the same to Australia, but nobody’s had the consistency to really complain.

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:As this game starts, Lanka are still a chance to make the WTC Final. Needs Aus to beat India in T4 and SL to win both Test v NZ.

Personally, I can't see SL dominating NZ.

The fact that a moderate team like Sri Lanka even has a hypothetical chance of making the final shows how deeply flawed the world test championship is.

Have to say this was exactly my initial reaction when I found out that SL were the only other team that could make the Final. I was "WTF?"

Meanwhile Kusal Mendis is rattling along towards 50 at better than a run a ball. SL 1-84 off 21.

Chandy and the Flange marching on. SL 3-208.

skully wrote:

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:As this game starts, Lanka are still a chance to make the WTC Final. Needs Aus to beat India in T4 and SL to win both Test v NZ.

Personally, I can't see SL dominating NZ.

The fact that a moderate team like Sri Lanka even has a hypothetical chance of making the final shows how deeply flawed the world test championship is.

Have to say this was exactly my initial reaction when I found out that SL were the only other team that could make the Final. I was "WTF?"

Their only series defeat counting for this is a 1-0 away loss in India. They have 1-1 home draws with Australia and Pakistan and a 2-0 win over WI, along with a 1-0 win in Bangladesh. A sweep of NZ would give them a 7-4-1 or .625 record… perhaps wouldn’t expect that to produce a top two finish, but there’s been a real lack of consistency (and away wins) across the board.

A solid start, anyway, and the Oval is definitely still in sight.

SL-Aus definitely looks favourite at the moment.

or not

Good fightback from Mitchell and the Snoozonian tail, some Bazball-esque strike rates from numbers 8, 9 and 10. A real opening for the home side now, they’ll be cheering them on in Delhi and Mumbai.

The Flange leads Sri Lanka into a strong position - undefeated century, Sri Lanka is 5 down with a lead of 230 another 70-80 after tea, with a declaration half an hour before stumps, and we could see a result late on day 5.

Last day tomorrow, a simple equation:

NZ needs 257, Sri Lanka needs 9 wickets.

No play so far today due to a wet outfield. So a Draw it is, confirming India's place in the WTC Final.

They got on at 3.30 pm Sheep time.

So the Snoozers have 52 overs to get 257 runs. A tough ask.

With 36 overs to go, they are 2-85. So 200 needed off 36 overs.

it's 79 off 12 overs now

Down the the wire.

Great effort by Kane to pull this one out of the bag.

Wow, what a finish!! Viva la Test Cricket!!

Well done to the Sheep. And it eliminates the ridiculous possibility of Lanka making the WTC Final.

An actual last-ball finish in a Test producing a result… how many of those have there ever been?

NZ could easily have had two tied Tests in a matter of weeks!