Black Caps Black Book .../Diary - Holla For A Bowla
The Basin Reserve pitch is a green top, but it tricked us. It tricked us to the extent that Hamish Rutherford looked alright, working his way to 37.
In one sense, normal service resumed as Rutherford nibbled at the ball outside his off stump. Normal green top service also resumed as wickets tumbled with the Black Caps all out for 221, the runs that many Kiwi cricket fans take for granted from our middle and lower order not coming thanks to a fine Sri Lankan bowling effort.
The mere fact that the three men tasked with doing damage with the ball took 9 wickets between them (Lakmal - 3/71 off 17, Pradeep - 4/63 off 16, Prasad - 2/50 off 11) shows some growth from the Sri Lankans. Any cricket fan would be happy to see that, while I'm sure many a cricket fan enjoys the sight of Kane Williamson at the crease. The Prince top scored for the Black Caps with 69.
Watching Williamson score runs is something that gives me pure joy, I'm sure many a cricketing purest feels the same way.
Rough day at the office for the Black Caps, well not really because it was more the Sri Lankans putting in to action their learnings.
The green top almost tricked us, but after seeing a Sri Lankan side bowl well and a Black Caps side take 5 wickets in 25 overs, the green top struck. If I love watching the Prince bat, then I can't quite explain how I feel watching Doug Bracewell bowl. It's borderline perfect - the gallop in, the smooth action and the gentle outswing with a bit of nip.
Dougie offers a bit more than Neil Wagner, but Waggy shouldn't take it personal. It's just the benefit of having a Stable which you can tailor to suit a need. Dougie finished the day 3/23 off 7.4 overs to put the Black Caps in a decent position ... and his name is Doug.
The elephant in the room is Kumar Sangakkara who is not out. It's a long way away, but if Sangakkara and Sri Lanka can get back even Stevens or even fight their way to around 300 then we start again. The cricket fan in me wants to see the Sri Lankans fight, not only because I like them but because we need to see the Black Caps under pressure. Need I remind you that they have had it slightly easy at home over the past year, so for them to really progress they need to perform under the pump.
Shout out to Kumar
Doug, I'm going to assume you can dougie?