New Zealand vs Sri Lanka statistics

Here is a summary of the batting and bowling statistics for the recent series against Sri Lanka. 264 runs at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 80.73. Could we have asked anything more of Two-Metre Peter? Stylish, simple and sensible and further proof that New Zealand has yet to lose its Lord of the Rings fever. After finding a sensational hobbit in Hamish Marshall last year, we have just uncovered a gifted giant.

I am trying to resist pointing out the striking resemblance between Scott Styris and the albino Orc general who led the assault on Gondor in Return of the King.

I guess I failed.

The 4-1 scoreline did mask a couple of genuine concerns. The main issue I have is that we get complacent awfully quick. Having won the series we almost lost the fourth match and then did lose the last. So cocky did we become that it was almost as though the series against Australia and South Africa did not happen. As always, consistency and an ability to keep the foot firmly on the opposition's throat were missing.

My second concern is around some of team "plan". Primarily around the role of Lou Vincent. I think it is very clear that John Bracewell has instructed Lou Vincent to attack from the first ball. From a team perspective this makes a lot of sense - New Zealand's lower middle order is so strong that it can survive the loss of an early wicket and if a Vincent assault actually comes off then it could be devastating. My problem with this approach is that it can only have a negative impact on Vincent's game. He is a batsman who is being transformed into a slogger, and - as Mark Greatbatch showed - good technique usually does not survive that transformation.

But enough with the gripes. Here is the really good news. Shane Bond is bowling above 150kmph again and has re-entered the ODI bowling top 10, and with 692 points he has almost returned to the point he reached before injury struck him down (he reached a peak of 711 points in May 2003). Vettori (7th), Mills (15th) and Oram (17th) round out a highly ranked attack. Even better is that New Zealand is now the fourth ranked ODI side and should qualify for exemption from the preliminary rounds of the World Cup - skipping straight to the knock-out competition.