Silly SL. Winning is a habit. Ask Aus what happened just before the WC.Edit: BTW looks like SL are resting Murali and Vaas! Presumably Malinga not playing either.
Thats a bit rough for someone who is ranked as the no 1 bowler in ODI's in the world and the number 1 all rounder in the world. Polly has not played badly (Aus took chances against him and it payed off for them). The problem is that he has not had support at the other end. So he bowls two tight overs and at the other end they get 20 runs in 2 overs. Batsmen get their eye in and start to target Polly as well. With his pace it only takes a couple of chances and they have runs. Now put a decent bowler at the other end and you will likely have a different situation.Then there is the matter of some of our players being past their prime. Shaun Pollock is past his prime - I think he can still do exceptionally in the Test arena, but the modern ODI game is just going to make things harder for him.
Malinga is only really dangerous at the end of the innings. I would guess that Aus know this and would try and get any runs before the last 5 overs.I disagree. Australia have never faced Malinga before, better to kepp him hidden from them until it counts for something. SL have a number of big matches coming up, I'd take this chance to rest some key players who've played in every match. This match doesn't really count for anything.
Oh, and the match does count. It is likely to determine who the 1/2/3 in the log are. My guess is that SL would prefer to face NZ in the semis which is why they aren't taking the game seriously. Remember, winning is a habit and so is losing.
WICKET! Tharanga c Hayden b Bracken 6 (Sri Lanka 27-3) Sensational stuff from Nathan Bracken.
Problem is the effect it has on the guys that don't perform in this game. SL probably would have bowled had they not rested Vaas and Murali. Now, they bat and a couple of guys lose confidence because they go out cheaply. Next game, guys still have that dent in confidence.I agree that winning is a habit, but this is a long tournament and this gives soem of the other key SL players a break ahead of the semis.
lol, maybe they should ask Telkom for some lube.Looks like Sri Lanka are in for a solid rogering administered by the Ozzies!! Their bums will be hurting later on this evening!!
bobby we know that polly is not as good as he has been but honestly man, who can bat as well firstly secondly who can bowl better?
we have always done so well because our bowlers can bat just as well, put in a better bowler and a worse batsman we loose the ability to bat so far down the order
bobby we know that polly is not as good as he has been but honestly man, who can bat as well firstly secondly who can bowl better?
we have always done so well because our bowlers can bat just as well, put in a better bowler and a worse batsman we loose the ability to bat so far down the order
I don't think he's becoming "not good"... I think batsmen are becoming better?