New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Test Series

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First Test match for Christchurch after the 2011 earthquake; held for the first time at Hagley Oval

Brendon McCullum beat the NZ record for the fastest 100 in Test cricket two times in a row - 100 off 74 balls with 10 4s and 5 6s; currently on 102

4/215 after 47.1 overs

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150 to McCullum off 103 balls; 15 4s and 8 6s - last 10 overs cost Sri Lanka 95 runs

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170 off 113 balls; has 39 balls to beat the fastest 200 set by Nathan Astle

[RustyCage]

Damn! Out for 195

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Clearly not one for records, had all the time in the world to knock around 5...but great entertainment nonetheless

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8/429 end of day one, only 80.3 overs bowled

[Jim05]

8/429 end of day one, only 80.3 overs bowled

Hard to bowl the full compliment of overs when the ball kept getting hit out the ground

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They had trouble with the sightscreen early and both opening bowlers slipped in delivery stride

[helicopterking]

The ground they played on, held a maximum 8000 people. Probably not the largest oval to play on.

[Jim05]

Watching the replay Benny?

[jackpot jim]

Over rates around the world are a DISGRACE !!!
I was in Christchurch last year and walked across the oval. All it was , was a parklands oval. They had just put down a new square. Couldnt believe it when told the next day they were hosting the World Cup on it. There was ZERO infrastructure there.
They have put and embankment around the oval and a small Grandstand / changerooms by the looks of it on telly so never going to hold many more until they erect some major Grandstands.
The oval looked a fair size to me. McCullum just makes the boundaries look small.
He's in amazing form this year. Amazing how you can bat when the thought of getting out is the furtherest thing from your mind.

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Probably a lack of first class matches costs another good contest (one contrived two day match is all Sri Lanka got); 441 NZ made, Sri Lanka 138 and 0/85 following on. The 10 wicket MOTM from Sharjah, Mark Craig only bowled 2 overs as the rest did all the damage - Boult with the early wickets and the prize of Sangakkara, then Southee and co. finished off. Mathews top scored with 50; everyone made an even score.

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New Zealand in winning by 8 wickets won their fifth Test for the calendar year - a team record

[whufc]

New Zealand in winning by 8 wickets won their fifth Test for the calendar year - a team record

They certainly are improving

I'm super impressed by Trent Boult and by the time his finished he will be rated just as highly as the likes of Shane Bond and Danny Morrison

[brod]

Over rates around the world are a DISGRACE !!!
I was in Christchurch last year and walked across the oval. All it was , was a parklands oval. They had just put down a new square. Couldnt believe it when told the next day they were hosting the World Cup on it. There was ZERO infrastructure there.
They have put and embankment around the oval and a small Grandstand / changerooms by the looks of it on telly so never going to hold many more until they erect some major Grandstands.
The oval looked a fair size to me. McCullum just makes the boundaries look small.
He's in amazing form this year. Amazing how you can bat when the thought of getting out is the furtherest thing from your mind.

They are doing an "Adelaide" and having temporary stands for the World Cup that will increase the ground capacity to 16,000

[Jim05]

Sangakkara became the fastest player to 12,000 test runs.
Should absolutely smash Tendulkar's record at this pace.
Absolute gun player and great to watch.
NZ made 221 and Sri Lanka 5/78 at end of Day 1.
The Lankans batting much better this morning, now 6/211, Sangakkara closing in on another ton

[daysofourlives]

Sangakkara became the fastest player to 12,000 test runs.
Should absolutely smash Tendulkar's record at this pace.
Absolute gun player and great to watch.
NZ made 221 and Sri Lanka 5/78 at end of Day 1.
The Lankans batting much better this morning, now 6/211, Sangakkara closing in on another ton

I doubt he will play long enough will he?
Interesting how far above all the others up around that total he is in average. Averages 58, most others in the 51-52 range including Tendulkar, Ponting and Kallis

[whufc]

Sangakarra or Gilchrist

All bias aside I reckon Sanga has him covered due to the fact he batted higher up the order and generally has come in at worse situations in test cricket than Gilly

Gilly more destructive and entertaining to watch though

[Jim05]

Sangakkara became the fastest player to 12,000 test runs.
Should absolutely smash Tendulkar's record at this pace.
Absolute gun player and great to watch.
NZ made 221 and Sri Lanka 5/78 at end of Day 1.
The Lankans batting much better this morning, now 6/211, Sangakkara closing in on another ton

I doubt he will play long enough will he?
Interesting how far above all the others up around that total he is in average. Averages 58, most others in the 51-52 range including Tendulkar, Ponting and Kallis

He is 37 I think, would have another 3 years left in him perhaps. Playing 10-15 tests a year on average id think. Dravid, Kallis and Ponting are next for him to overtake, they are all about 1000 ahead of him but with 30 tests more so he should catch all them easily, Tendulkar about 4000 ahead but with 70 tests more so you are correct he may not get there, would probably need another 4 seasons to catch him.
As you said a remarkable effort and a better average than all on that top 5 list. Also add the fact he has done a fair bit of keeping and its a remarkable record

[Jim05]

Sangakarra or Gilchrist

All bias aside I reckon Sanga has him covered due to the fact he batted higher up the order and generally has come in at worse situations in test cricket than Gilly

Gilly more destructive and entertaining to watch though

Agreed, Sangakkara doesnt get the praise he would if he played for a bigger nation.
Remarkable effort considering he has played for a fairly average side most of his career