Caught Short

Short of brains, short of technique, short of breath and short of the mark. Four run outs in a row does not make for happy viewing and while no one should be looking for a panic button to press it did feel a little like some Black Caps players had been reading too many glowing reports.

To The Victor The Suds!

Kane Williamson should have got a tub of Champers to bath in, such was his match performance.

7 Days Is A Long Time In Test Cricket

Nostalgia

Less hair, no beard, one ball past the outside edge, the second one an arm ball past the inside edge, the 10 finger appeal - it all brings back such happy memories.

Still Golden

Don't Ask + Don't Get

Trent Boult channels a little Daniel Vettori. With more success than Dan has had lately.

Introducing Todd Astle

The new boy says "Hello", 'cause with the Black Caps spinner selection system it may not be long before he has to say "Goodbye".

Life In The Old Dog

38  years and a sore leg are not enough to weigh Murali down.

4 wickets when they matter is more than enough to lift the old fella and his team.

Such A Nice Boy

So respectful and kind to his mother. It is a pity he isn't so kind to opening batsman

Oh To Be In Dambulla ...

... now the rains are here. The scene gives a whole new meaning to the concept of flood light.

Out Swinging

Kumar Sangakkara is getting a bit of arc on the old helmet in this one but he need not have been too dismayed. They controlled the game from early on and the Balckcaps proved my theory of not expecting too much of them.

I will not do a picture of Kane Williamson until the poor lad scores a run.

At Long Bloody Last

Amazing what a few runs will do.

And did Sanjay Mandrekar really say Jesse's was not a genuine injury? Perhaps something was lost in the translation.

Poke, Prod, Piss Off

I have never understood why big hitting batsman like McCullum do this. They get in a bad trot and poke and prod rather than play their natural game. Sure, we will bag them if they get out to a silly shot but nothing like what they get by frustrating the hell out of themselves and us with a stone wall display. He is not made to play the patient grind for 40 overs and nether are we. Get on with it or get out!

Good Form, Wrong Bloke

I am a great supporter (and user) of Cricinfo but it is always good to note someone else's mistake. This photo was captioned with "Jacob Oram winds up", which would be fine if it wasn't Darryl Tuffey.

To be fair Tuffey has been so long absent even his mother might not be completely convinced of his identity.

Dilshan The Scoop

Dilshan offers his respects to the cricket gods with yet another overhead scoop shot. He better keep praying because sooner or later he is going to wear a big red bullet.

Back In Black

No, not AC/DC, but SB, although I am still hearing rumours about IO'B.

Whatever the letters or numbers I just hope Bondy makes that first step towards being the fully functioning fast bowler we so desperately need.

A Man Amongst Boys

The Colossus Of Hamilton gave another great, and almost unsupported, display. Is there another team in the world that has a greater range in talent than New Zealand. From the great one down to a whole bunch of "what the hell am I doing here?" plonkers.

Body Language

If ever there was an image to sum up the NZ v Sri Lanka series, this would be it. If the Black Caps got any more dominated they could post the pictures on one of those dodgy web sites beloved of men who wear leather.

Dan The Man

Well done Cap'n Dan. Not a bad effort when you play half your games on Kiwi wickets.

Now that he is captain, selector, strike bowler and the entire lower middle order batting perhaps he should put his spare time into a spot of pitch preparation. Versatility is not it's own reward!

The Gods Must be Crazy

But no crazier than those trying to play cricket on mud roads in Sri Lanka.

This image finds Martin Guptil, batsman and part time supplicant, trying to do a deal with the cricketing gods. He may be offering his bat in exchange for the chance of some runs or he may just be asking for more Imodium.