New Zealand
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The conservative batting strategy should get a longer trial
New Zealand made two competitive scores in three attempts, against a
good attack in tough conditions. Considering their recent results, that
is not a poor return, and that mindset needs to stay for now. With the
two new balls that keep swinging around for longer, yet stay hard and
hittable through to the end of the innings, and the new rule that
rewards aggression through the middle overs, New Zealand may have struck
upon a batting strategy that others may seek to emulate, particularly
on pitches that offer something for the new-ball bowlers. BJ Watling
has illustrated the benefits of this approach this series, and he
should retain his place in the top three when Martin Guptill returns.
This may mean that Rob Nicol loses his place, or that Brendon McCullum
moves to the lower middle order, displacing either Andrew Ellis or James
Franklin, but either way, New Zealand should not jettison a possible
fix to their batting woes.
Adam Milne should be selected more regularly - but perhaps without becoming a regular
Any team with a 20-year-old capable of bowling at 150 kph needs to invest in him, but Adam Milne
may not yet be ready to become part of New Zealand's regular XI. He has
a tendency to be wayward and often bowls too short, and time in
domestic cricket may help him hone his game away from the pressures of
international cricket. However, Milne would also benefit from testing
himself against international opposition from time to time, and will
learn lessons there that the New Zealand domestic scene cannot teach
him. Bowling coach Shane Bond, who operated at a similar speed, had a
similar build and a near identical action, and will also have plenty to
add when Milne is with the team. New Zealand's selectors may need to
pick and choose which tours Milne plays in for now.
Kane Williamson's role in the batting order should be clearly defined in limited-overs cricket
Throughout the World Twenty20 and at times in this series, Kane Williamson
has been pushed down the order when the team has been after quick runs.
There is a strong argument for Williamson being left out of the
limited-overs sides altogether, not because he is unfit for them, but
because at this stage of his career, he should focus solely on his Test
game where his success is critical to the team's future. If the
selectors insist on playing him in ODIs, however, he must be given a
concrete role in the batting order. It is not fair to ask him to bat at
No. 4 in one match and No. 8 not long after, and they are unlikely to
get consistent contributions from him if they continue to treat him that
way.
Sri Lanka
The new ball pair remains effective
Sri Lanka's pacemen, and Lasith Malinga
in particular, have not had the most consistent year in ODIs, but
against New Zealand, both he and Nuwan Kulasekara were menacing with the
new ball. Malinga regularly beat batsmen outside off stump with
movement, while Kulasekara's away-seamer - a delivery he has only
recently developed, matured fully this series. There were few loose
deliveries from either bowler, and they created chances at every stage
of the innings.
Sri Lanka is still reliant on its experienced batsmen
Angelo Mathews made a sparkling 50 in the third ODI, albeit against
bowling hampered by a wet ball, but Sri Lanka's youngsters have not yet
blossomed in the top order. Lahiru Thirimanne was given two chances to
impress at No. 3, but seemed unsure of how to balance aggression and
defence. And although Dinesh Chandimal made 43 in the fourth ODI, he did
so only after a nervy start in which he played and missed numerous
times. They were given difficult conditions in which to impress, but
their technical shortcomings appeared starker when their seniors handled
the swinging ball with much more poise.
Jeevan Mendis is a capable second spinner
Mahela Jayawardene has been outspoken in his criticism of the new rule
allowing only four men outside the circle. He had also outlined his case
for why the new conditions will force teams to pick no more than one
specialist slow bowler in their XI. Sri Lanka, however, have been served
well by their spinning allrounder in this series, who finished joint
highest wicket-taker. Jeevan Mendis'
short spell in the fourth ODI secured the series for Sri Lanka. He
bowled aggressively throughout the series, despite the new rules that
encourage bowling quicker through the air. He is yet to find consistency
in his batting, but he is doing enough with the ball and in the field
to embed himself in Sri Lanka's XI.
Andrew Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's correspondent in Sri Lanka
Feeds: Andrew Fernando
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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