We are pretty much in the same position as last time I put pen
to paper (so to speak)losing a game we probably should have
won and winning a game most people thought we were going to
lose.
But we are in a good position two points clear of India and
with a very respectable overall run rate, one win away from a
virtually guaranteed spot in the final.
The main reason we have been successful over here on the sub
continent is the way our quicks have performed at the start of
each innings.
Seamers being successful in these conditions, bucks all trends
of how games are played here. Normally the first 15 overs is a
chance for the opposing batsmen to get off to a flyer looking
to score around 90 to a 100.
Kyle Mills and Daryl Tuffey have consistently picked up
wickets as well as tying the scoring rate down.
It makes mine, and Chris Harris's job, a hell of a lot easier
when we are not bowling to a Ganguly or Jayasuriya in full
flight.
Dion Nash has also been sensational and there is a rumour
going around the team that he only plays when we win. But that
could be due to the fact that he has played so well in the two
games that we have won, and probaly his performances in those
games have won the game for us.
I have been pretty happy with my own preformances. It was
especially nice to get a bit of time in the middle against the
Indians, and it made me appreciate how hard it is for the
batsmen to bat in that heat.
At one stage it was 37 degrees celcius and the humidity factor
was floating around at 94-95%.
There has been a little more unrest over here with the bombing
of the Colombo International Airport, which to be fair was
pretty unnerving but we have been assured we are in no danger
and we have to trust the advice we are getting.
We all know that our manager Jeff Crowe has his finger on the
pulse with all that's happening, and he is able to keep us
informed of the dangers. We also have an extensive security
team who look like they know what they are doing, although we
have nicknamed our head of security Inspector Gadget. Once
again we have four days off and the coach has given us two
full rest days so most people are catching up on sleep. And
getting ready for Jacob Oram's birthday, the big man is 23 and
I think we are going to visit the Grand Oriental hotel for his
party, should be a bit of fun.