Sri Lanka name squads for BlackCaps ODIs, Tests

A common sight from Sri Lanka these days

By Fathima Zanaida

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 9, 2012: The Sri Lanka Cricket has announced squads for the remainder of the One Day International series as well as the succeeding Test series against New Zealand on Friday.

As per the Sri Lanka Cricket press release issued here the Minister has also accorded his approval to the squads.

The squads were finalized in an SLC Selection Committee meeting held in Colombo on Friday morning.

Sri Lanka’s squad for the fourth and fifth One Day Internationals to be played at Hambantota includes Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Angelo Mathews (Vice Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Upul Tharanga, Rangana Herath, Akila Dhanajaya, and P.H.T Kaushal.

Sri Lanka’s squad for the Test series against BlackCaps includes Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Angelo Mathews (Vice Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranawithana, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Prassanna Jayawardane, P.H.T Kaushal, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welagedara, Shaminda Eranga, and Dhammika Prasad.

Sri Lanka are leading the five-match One Day International series against New Zealand by 2-0 after three matches as one of the first three matches was completely washed out while the other two games were decided on the infamous Duckworth-Lewis Method.

The One-dayers will be followed by a two-match Test series with first match will be played at Galle from November 17-21, 2012 while Colombo will host the second test from November 25-29, 2012.

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Sri Lanka go 2-0 up over BlackCaps in ODI series

By Fathima Zanaida

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by seven wickets after Duckworth-Lewis Method calculations in yet another rain-affected match played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Former skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan was the star of the show for the home side as the opening batsman struck an unbeaten hundred to guide Sri Lanka to an impressive victory.

Sri Lanka’s new Twenty20 skipper Angelo Mathews also redeemed himself in the One-dayers with gutsy unbeaten half century as Sri Lanka chased down their target with 11 balls to spare for the loss of only three wickets.

Batting first, New Zealand scored 188 for six from 33 overs after rain once again forced officials to reduce the size of the match.

Opening batsman BJ Watling stepped up his game and scored 96 not out form 88 balls hitting 12 boundaries but he largely lacked support from the other batsmen as Rob Nicol (7 from 16), Brendon McCullum (13 from 25), skipper Ross Taylor (7 from 16 – 1 four), Jacob Oram (2 from 4), and Kane Williamson (5 from 6), all failed to help the side get a respectable total.

Jeevan Mendis took two wickets for 34 runs while Lasith Malinga (1/40), Nuwan Kulasekara (1/45), and Angelo Mathews (1/15) grabbed one wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka were given the target of 197 runs from 33 overs after applying the Duckworth-Lewis Method which looked a little stiff for the second-batting side.

Sri Lanka lost Upul Tharanga (10 from 13 – 2 fours), Kumar Sangakkara (15 from 27), and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (5 from 6) early in the run-chase but Tillakaratne Dilshan (102 not out from 95 – 12 fours, 1 six) kept his fight alive and found perfect partner in Angelo Mathews (54 not out from 47 – 7 fours).

Dilshan and Mathews added 127 runs for the fourth wicket from 98 balls which proved the difference between the two sides as New Zealand once again couldn’t seal the deal despite of coming close to that elusive victory in Sri Lanka.

Tillakaratne Dilshan was declared Man of the Match for his brilliant unbeaten knock of 102 runs.

The series now moves to Hambantota where the two teams will play the final two One Day Internationals on November 10 and 12.

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Shane Bond joins BlackCaps as bowling coach

By Jamie Pierce

Shane Bond to replace Damien Wright as New Zealand Bowling Coach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (TheSportsNEXT) October 18, 2012: The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is all set to announce former fast bowler Shane Bond as bowling coach of its national cricket team for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka.

Sources told TheSportsNEXT.com on Thursday that Shane Bond, 37, who was one of the best fast bowlers produced by New Zealand, is most likely to replace Damien Wright and the NZC will soon make an official announcement in this regard.

Damien Wright had replaced Allan Donald as the BlackCaps bowling coach in July, 2012 but he has since been longing to spend more time with his family which led to his resignation after the New Zealand were knocked out of the recently held ICC World Twenty20 2012 in Sri Lanka.

Despite of a below expectations performance by the BlackCaps in recent times, Damien Wright’s association with the bowlers has turned them into good resources at international level which can made Shane Bond’s job a little easier.

Shane Bond, who called it quits in early 2010 owing to regular injuries, has been associated with the Central Districts as their bowling coach.

During his stint with the Central Districts, Shane Bond has worked with the country’s emerging fast bowlers like Adam Milne and Doug Bracewell and helped the side prepare for the Champions League Twenty20 2010.

Shane Bond, who took 87 Test wickets at 22.09 and 147 One Day International wickets at 20.88 besides 25 Twenty20 International wickets, is arguably the best fast bowler New Zealand produced after Richard Hadlee.

His impressive record in all the three formats of the game would largely help him in inspiring the young and upcoming fast bowlers in New Zealand but he will have a senior in the side in Chris Martin who is six months older than Bond.

The BlackCaps are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka before touring South Africa followed by home and away series against England.

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India beat BlackCaps by 5wkts to win Test series 2-0

By Abhishek Manroa

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli

BENGALURU (TheSportsNext) September 4, 2012: India defeated New Zealand by five wickets in the second Test at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday to clean-sweep the two-match series as Virat Kohli and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni joined hands for the second time in the match to take the home side to victory.

Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni

Chasing 261 for victory, Indians were reduced to five for 166 by New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel before Virat Kohli (51*) and MS Dhoni (48*) put their heads down and completed the victory with a day to spare.

Virat Kohli, 23, was declared Man of the Match for his valuable contributions with the bat as the right-hand batsman had scored 103 runs in the first innings which had resurrected Indian hopes in the match.

Ravichandran Ashwin was name Man of the Series for his hollistic spin-bowling efforts during the two-match Test series.

India had won the first Test by an innings and 115 runs at Hyderabad last week.

Man of the Match Virat Kohli with Man of the Series Ravichandran Ashwin

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Shane Bond may return as BlackCaps bowling coach

By Jamie Pierce

WELLINGTON (TheSportsNext) August 30, 2012: Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond on Thursday showed his interest in filling up the void created by Damien Wright in the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) saying he was ready to get associated with the board but not without knowing the job description before any commitment.

 

Talking to reporters here, Shane Bond, 37, who has also served the Police department, said that the NZC should hire him to coach Kiwi fast bowlers as he has got enough experience of international cricket to garner their skills.

Shane Bond is considered as one of the finest fast bowlers of the modern-era cricket and the current New Zealand bowlers rely on his advice for getting control and pace.

The NZC has got a great chance of getting services of a talented cricketer like Shane Bond and if the authorities can rope him in then it would help them negate the public ire following untoward dealing with former Kiwi great John Wright, Mark Greatbatch told TheSportsNext.com.

Bond said, "I am interested in the role, but I want to know more. There's not much else to say really, until I see a job description."

Craig McMillan, who is in India for commentary assignments, also put his “weight” behind the former teammate saying, "Shane's a few years removed from the team now and I think he'd do a great job. In terms of knowledge and ability to help the young fast-bowlers, I think he'd be a superb appointment."

Shane Bond has recently worked with the NZC in a similar role at a training camp alongside national assistant coach Bob Carter.

If we take a look at the current bowling talent in the BlackCaps side, there is nothing really to talk about as apart from Chris Martin and Kyle Mills nobody else has stepped up his game and while the young bowlers are coming through into the team, the New Zealand do need someone like Shane Bond to fast-track the talent into real bowling resource. Tim Southee has once again lost his cutting edge while Chris Martin is getting closer to retirement.

Sources told this correspondent that Shane Bond is a favorite to get the job because the head coach Mike Hesson believes in hiring services of a local bowling coach and he would have a huge say in the hiring process.

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