Dropsies, death bowling and Nelson venue
New Zealand are leading the three-match series against Sri Lanka 2-0 but there is plenty to ponder ahead of the final ODI at Saxton Oval in Nelson today. DEATH BOWLING
New Zealand’s shambolic effort in the second ODI at Mt Maunganui will have given the bowling unit plenty to mull over heading to Nelson. Nobody was immune as Thisara Perera unleashed blow after blow, with too many balls dished up in the hitting zone. Tim Southee’s four successive full tosses – dispatched for four successive sixes – stood out but he was not alone as the Black Caps failed to capitalise on a superb start with the ball. DROPSIES
We made it six dropped catches in the last match, but it was hard to keep up. Nicholls, Munro, Boult, Williamson, Guptill, Taylor – these guys are some of the best fielders in the business so it’s difficult to see a repeat happening but the Black Caps will be mindful of the need to return to their high standards as India – and then the World Cup – loom.
BOWLING COMBINATION Could the dynamic duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee both be rested? It’s a possibility, and possibly the most logistical choice. Doug Bracewell has not had a run in the first two games, Lockie Ferguson played the first but not the second, and while Matt Henry has had a couple of hit-outs he has been starved of international cricket. There’s a big limited overs tour by India looming and both Boult and Southee have had a lot of cricket in the past few months, albeit in white clothing. Now would seem a good time for a wee rest. SAXTON OVAL
Batting first has worked well for the Black Caps in the first two ODIs but history suggests batting second gets the job done at Saxton Oval. There have been 10 ODIs at the ground since 2014 and of the nine result matches, seven have been won by the chasing team. Of the five times a team has won the toss and batted first, only once has that team won. Still, the average first innings total is a very respectable 275 and there’s nothing to suggest it won’t be another batsmen’s paradise today so batting first and getting a big total could be the go again, notwithstanding the history books.
WEATHER
How good has the weather been for the summer of cricket? Rhetorical question that, it’s been superb at a time of year when there can be a bit of rain. Will Nelson keep the sun coming? Of course it will. It’s been scorching hot in the sunshine capital of New Zealand and that is set to continue. The official take from the MetService is ‘‘fine and light winds, with sea breezes. 25 degrees’’.