New Zealand (580/4) defeat Sri Lanka (164 & 358 fo) by an innings and 58 runs - win series by 2-0

[Saj]

After the brilliant 1st Test, the 2 sides go again this time in Wellington.

For the climax that the contest in Christchurch reached, it's going to be a quick denouncement only one ball later in Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand - from the last delivery at Hagley Oval to the first at Basin Reserve. For all the relevance it carried, for Sri Lanka, India - and to an extent even Australia, who would've been curious to find out their opposition at the World Test Championship final - a lot of it would be lost in the second Test, starting Friday.

For the hosts, New Zealand, who had only come fresh from a thrilling one-run win against England to draw the two-match Test series a few weeks ago, that promised to revive the sport in the country, the last-ball victory against Sri Lanka plays perfectly into their hopes and efforts. Now, they are in with a chance of winning a series to cap off their home summer.

But can they do it?

Does Sri Lanka have enough motivation left in the tank to fight back from hereon? Unable to clinch the previous contest from a dominant position, letting go off the opportunity to stay in contention for a WTC final berth and then unable to save the match on a rain-hit day. Quite a few hopes were dashed in the first Test.

On a positive note though, there were ample shades of brilliance, of being able to adjust in conditions where New Zealand have dominated quite a bit in recent years. It has not been the easiest of conditions for touring sides, but Sri Lanka proved that they were a match.

[Saj]

Team News

New Zealand

Neil Wagner has been ruled out of the Test due to multiple injuries. Doug Bracwell has been drafted in as his replacement in the squad but it could be Scott Kuggeleijn who might replace Wagner in the XI. Tim Southee has hinted on giving some of the bowlers a rest ahead of a packed cricket calender.

Probable XI: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracwell, Scott Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner.

Sri Lanka

Despite the loss, and some erratic bowling in patches, there is little reason for Sri Lanka to make changes to their XI.

Probable XI: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando

[MenInG]

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to field

Teams:

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Michael Bracewell, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee(c), Matt Henry, Blair Tickner

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne(c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka(w), Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando

[MenInG]

Good start by NZ - 109/1 at Tea

A pretty good session for New Zealand after having been put in to bat first by Sri Lanka. The greenish appearance of the surface might have compelled them to bowl first, but the bowlers weren't able to extract much from the wicket after the delayed start due to rain. Conway took his time to get used to the conditions, and once he got a hang of things, the left-hander played a number of aggressive shots to bring up his fifty. Latham also got off to a decent start, but he threw his wicket away while playing a pull against Rajitha. Williamson has looked watchful since his arrival at the crease, but the bowlers haven't been able to trouble him much either.

[daytrader]

Shortened day due to bad weather and light

NZ 155/2 (48) CRR: 3.23
Day 1: Stumps

[daytrader]

Black Caps defy Sri Lanka's bowlers on day one of second test at Basin Reserve

Day one, second test, Basin Reserve: New Zealand 155-2 (Devon Conway 78) versus Sri Lanka.

Dimuth Karunaratne wasn’t going to be the man to break with tradition.

The Sri Lankan captain did what was wholly expected of him after winning the coin flip before the start of the second test against New Zealand.

How much he may regret the seemingly obvious will emerge over the weekend, but he may already be having second thoughts.

At stumps on day one in Wellington, the hosts were 155-2 with Kane Williamson unbeaten on 26 and Henry Nicholls not out 18.

Only 48 overs were possible after overnight and morning rain delayed the start until 2.10pm, while darkness brought about a premature conclusion.

During that time, Devon Conway’s punchy 78 from 108 balls chiefly denied Sri Lanka the inroads they were hoping for as they seek to level the series following the dramatic last-ball win by New Zealand in Christchurch.

In the past 13 tests in the capital over the last decade, every captain who has won the toss has sent the opposition in to bat, while 50 successive domestic first-class skippers have done the same as Karunaratne did on Friday.

In eight of those tests, the ‘win toss, bowl’ decisions have resulted in victories - including seven on the trot from February 2016 to February 2020 - but it hasn’t always been a rewarding proposition for visiting sides.

Sri Lanka won the toss and bowled in January 2015 and lost by 193 runs, while the West Indies were beaten by an innings and 12 runs in December 202 when New Zealand made 460 after being sent in.

Just last month, Black Caps captain Tim Southee inserted England, and they responded by amassing 435 before declaring eight down in a memorable encounter won by the hosts by a run.

While a green-tinged wicket and overcast conditions may have seemed ideal for seam and swing bowling, running through a test batting line-up also requires accuracy and application.

Sri Lanka fell short of those goals as their three-pronged pace attack couldn’t find a consistent line or length to constantly trouble the hosts, while the wind hugely limited the swing on offer.

Conway and Latham put on 87 for the first wicket before Latham top-edged a pull on 21.

It was the pair’s seventh 50-plus opening stand in test cricket, having combined for the first time for Conway’s memorable double-century debut at Lord’s in June 2021.

After 16 innings opening – the toughest batting assignment in tests – the pair’s average partnership increased to 55.

Of those to bat 15 or more innings together for New Zealand at the top of the order, only John Wright and Trevor Franklin’s 55.10 average pips Latham and Conway’s mark. Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent (41.38), and Latham and Martin Guptill (40.23), are the only others to average 40-plus.

Other notable opening partnerships from a smaller sample size include Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis (73.62 average across eight innings) who plundered in five drawn tests in the West Indies in 1972, and New Zealand’s first opening pair Stewie Dempster and Jack Mills in the 1930s (67.5 across six innings).

The hosts handed seamer Doug Bracewell his first test cap since August 2016, while Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella paid the price for dropping Kane Williamson during New Zealand’s dramatic first-test win by being dropped himself, with Nishan Madushka taking over the gloves.

However, Madushka also made a glaring mistake when missing a relatively simple chance with his left hand to catch the under-pressure Henry Nicholls when the left-hander was on six.

Big moment
Williamson’s unbeaten century got the hosts home at Hagley Oval, and he is always the most sought-after scalp for NZ’s opponents.

Asitha Fernando drew a false shot from the country’s most prolific test batter just after the start of the second session, with Williamson on three, but the ball flew out of the reach of the field.

Best with the bat
Conway wouldn’t have been bothered about being asked to bat first.

The left-hander loves his adopted home ground, having made five first-class tons at the Basin, and looked poise to register his first test century at the venue before failing to keep a drive out of the clutches of left-arm spinner Dhananjaya de Silva.

Best with the ball
Kasun Rajitha forced an error from Latham and the right-arm quick should have doubled his wicket haul when finding the outside edge of Nicholls’ bat, only for the chance to go begging.

Big picture
The Black Caps will want to bat for all of Saturday to put the series out of reach of the visitors.

[Saj]

Good start to day 2 for NZ.

Easing to 193/2 at the moment.

[MenInG]

NZ 580/4 d (123) CRR: 4.72
Day 2: Innings Break

==

There comes the declaration as NZ think they've got enough runs on the board. They were put in to bat first by Sri Lanka, but the Kiwis have posted a massive total on a deceptive green looking surface at the Basin Reserve. Conway and Latham gave them a good start on Day 1 after a delayed start due to a wet outfield. But Day 2 has belonged to Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls who added more than 350 runs for the third wicket. Williamson notched up a brilliant double ton, while Nicholls also scored his maiden Test double century. The Sri Lankan bowlers had a difficult time as the NZ batters made them toil in the field. The pitch still looks like a good one to bat on, so if the Sri Lankan batters apply themselves well, even they might be able to score some runs on this wicket.

[Saj]

On a day where New Zealand batters made merry at the expense of Sri Lankan bowlers' toil, Kane Williamson became the first ever Black Caps player to a special Test landmark.

During his remarkable innings of 215 on Day 2 of the second Test, Kane Williamson became the first-ever New Zealand player to notch up 8000 Test runs. Just last month during the second Test against England in Wellington, Williamson had gone past Ross Taylor's tally of 7683 runs to become the highest run-getter for New Zealand in Tests.

The double ton by the former New Zealand captain was also the sixth of his Test career, taking him level with several greats of the game such as Marvan Atapattu, Virender Sehwag, Javed Miandad, Younis Khan, Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar. Among the players currently active, only Virat Kohli (7) has more double centuries than the Kiwi talisman.

After the first day was marred by rain, New Zealand displayed tremendous attacking intent from the get-go. Boundaries were flowing from the bat of Williamson and Henry Nicholls as the duo put on a clinic, unbothered by both pace and spin of the Sri Lankan bowlers.

The pair added 149 runs in the first session of the day with Williamson getting to 8000 runs and notching up his 28th Test ton in a space of four overs. Nicholls wasn't to be left behind as he got to his century in the session after lunch with the Kiwi onslaught in full flow.

In just the second over after Tea, Williamson brought up his double ton with a boundary – much like he did to get to his 50 and 100 earlier in the day. Sri Lanka's agony finally ended thanks to Prabath Jayasuriya as he scalped Williamson for 215, bringing an end to the marathon 363-run partnership.

Nicholls continued to take the attack to Sri Lanka thereafter and brought up his maiden Test double century in just 240 balls. This was the 18th instance in Test cricket and the first time for New Zealand where two batters scored a double century in the same innings.

The hosts declared at 580/4 as soon as Nicholls got to his milestone and then made early inroads with the ball, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 26/2 at stumps on Day 2.

[Firebat]

Day 3: 1st Session - Sri Lanka trail by 546 runs

NZ 580/4 d
SL 34/3 (22) CRR: 1.55

Not looking good for the Lankans, they've really gone into their shell and just looking to survive here.

[sweep_shot]

Lankans fought well in 1st Test. Not so much in this Test.

As a matter of fact, they are completely getting blown away in this Test.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 61/4.

Still trailing by 519 runs.

[Saj]

The tourists struggling badly.

Badly need a partnership.

[sweep_shot]

50 for Dimuth Karunaratne.

SL's score is 70/4. Dimuth has scored 50 of those.

[Aman]

This is why I hate when we play SL, WI and Bangladesh. Zzz...

No stars and the wins, runs and wickets don't mean as much.

[Firebat]

Day 3: Lunch Break - Sri Lanka trail by 471 runs

NZ 580/4 d
SL 109/4 (51) CRR: 2.14

[sweep_shot]

SL have recovered a bit. Still a long way to go.

Still trailing by 471 runs.

[sweep_shot]

This is why I hate when we play SL, WI and Bangladesh. Zzz...

No stars and the wins, runs and wickets don't mean as much.

BD won a Test in NZ last time. Series was 1-1.

Also, NZ generally lose also when they visit BD/SL. BD have whitewashed NZ twice.

[Aman]

BD won a Test in NZ last time. Series was 1-1.

Also, NZ generally lose also when they visit BD/SL. BD have whitewashed NZ twice.

The team didn't take them seriously in the first test and smashed Bangladesh in the second Test.

The away tours to Bangladesh have featured the B/C team players. SL we have generally drawn series there, as for LOIs I can't really remember how we do.

Regardless, point stands of no one taking our wins, runs and wickets against these teams seriously. These teams have no stars.

Kane gets crapped on for scoring against these teams.

[sweep_shot]

The team didn't take them seriously in the first test and smashed Bangladesh in the second Test.

Not BD's problem. You lost a Test. Series was 1-1.

You also cried when NZ lost against England in 2019 WC final. Learn to accept defeats.

[sweep_shot]

The away tours to Bangladesh have featured the B/C team players. SL we have generally drawn series there, as for LOIs I can't really remember how we do.

2010 and 2013 were full-strength sides. Check 2010 team. Both got whitewashed.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 117/6.

Dimith is hanging in there. He is on 67*.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 132/6.

Still trailing by 448 runs.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 163/8.

Dimuth is on 89*. Fighting the lone battle.

[sweep_shot]

Dimuth is out for 89.

SL - 163/9.

[sweep_shot]

SL have been bowled out for 164.

NZ have enforced the follow-on.

SL - 3/0.

Need another 413 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

[jattafridi]

Bad performance from Lanka

Innings defeat is coming

[Aman]

Not BD's problem. You lost a Test. Series was 1-1.

You also cried when NZ lost against England in 2019 WC final. Learn to accept defeats.

What on earth are you talking about?

[Aman]

2010 and 2013 were full-strength sides. Check 2010 team. Both got whitewashed.

You're now bringing up series from a decade ago lol.

No one takes these teams seriously, get over it. Idk if you're a triggered Bangladeshi fan or whatever, but this has always been the case.

There's a reason why none of the top to mid tier level teams takes results against these teams as seriously as they do against the top 5.

You're just going off in tangents trying to pretend otherwise.

[Aman]

You're now bringing up series from a decade ago lol.

No one takes these teams seriously, get over it. Idk if you're a triggered Bangladeshi fan or whatever, but this has always been the case.

There's a reason why none of the top to mid tier level teams takes results against these teams as seriously as they do against the top 5.

You're just going off in tangents trying to pretend otherwise.

To be fair, SL only recently joined those teams. WI have been mediocre for over a decade and Bangladesh have never really become a top or mid tier team.

Wins, runs and wickets against those teams are not of the same value as they are against the top 5-6 teams. No one can really dispute this.

Everyone expects you to cash in against the likes of SL, WI and Bangladesh. It's performances against the top 5-6 teams is what makes you get noticed and considered world class.

[sweep_shot]

You're now bringing up series from a decade ago lol.

No one takes these teams seriously, get over it. Idk if you're a triggered Bangladeshi fan or whatever, but this has always been the case.

There's a reason why none of the top to mid tier level teams takes results against these teams as seriously as they do against the top 5.

You're just going off in tangents trying to pretend otherwise.

Are you saying NZ is exciting? LOL. Who is exciting now? Taylor has retired. There's no more CDG too. I am scratching my head to find one exciting player from NZ.

Your team is no Australia. Stop acting all smug.

[sweep_shot]

You're now bringing up series from a decade ago lol.

No one takes these teams seriously, get over it. Idk if you're a triggered Bangladeshi fan or whatever, but this has always been the case.

There's a reason why none of the top to mid tier level teams takes results against these teams as seriously as they do against the top 5.

You're just going off in tangents trying to pretend otherwise.

Well, NZ haven't played a full tour in Bangladesh since 2013. They only played one T20 series and lost that one 2-3.

Would've loved to see NZ coming to BD so that BD could get some easy wins.

[sweep_shot]

SL are counterattacking in 2nd innings (something they should've done in 1st innings also).

SL - 81/1.

[daytrader]

New Zealand continued their dominance over Sri Lanka in the second Test on Sunday, enforcing a follow-on and setting up the likelihood of a series clean sweep with two days to play at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The tourists reached 113-2 in their second innings at stumps on day three but still trailed by 303 runs at Wellington's Basin Reserve. Sri Lanka's tail succumbed rapidly in the second session as the last six wickets tumbled for 50 runs in the space of 15.1 overs. On Saturday, aggressive double centuries for Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls powered New Zealand's dominance. The Black Caps declared their first innings at an imposing 580 for 4 before reducing Sri Lanka to 26 for 2 at stumps on day two, leaving the tourists with a very slim prospect of squaring the two-match series

[Joseph Gomes]

New Zealand is minnow bashing at home again. Some things never change

Total mismatch

[sweep_shot]

New Zealand is minnow bashing at home again. Some things never change

Total mismatch

How is SL a minnow? They won the Asia Cup. Did well in WTC.

Most teams (barring India, Australia, and England) are home bullies. NZ are a home bully too. They generally get their butts kicked away from home. They lose badly in Australia, England, India, South Africa, and Asia.

[Saj]

Looks like a thrashing for Sri Lanka.

Not the best of travellers really are they.

[sweep_shot]

Day 4.

Lankans are doing well in 2nd innings.

SL - 210/4.

Trailing by 206 runs.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 218/4 (71 overs).

Trailing by 198 runs.

[Ab Fan]

How is SL a minnow? They won the Asia Cup. Did well in WTC.

Most teams (barring India, Australia, and England) are home bullies. NZ are a home bully too. They generally get their butts kicked away from home. They lose badly in Australia, England, India, South Africa, and Asia.

SL are very good in subcontinent but outside subcontinent they are minnow level.

South Africa are currently minnow level too in subcontinent but they fare better in England and New Zealand.

New Zealand did well in Pakistan.

[Joseph Gomes]

How is SL a minnow? They won the Asia Cup. Did well in WTC.

Most teams (barring India, Australia, and England) are home bullies. NZ are a home bully too. They generally get their butts kicked away from home. They lose badly in Australia, England, India, South Africa, and Asia.

You are right. The only minnow is Bangladesh. I should have given more respect to Sri Lanka, they actually know how to put some some resistance.

[sweep_shot]

You are right. The only minnow is Bangladesh. I should have given more respect to Sri Lanka, they actually know how to put some some resistance.

It doesn't bother me if you call Bangladesh a minnow.

Bangladesh actually won a Test in New Zealand, BTW.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 281/5.

Trailing by 135 runs.

[sweep_shot]

SL are very good in subcontinent but outside subcontinent they are minnow level.

South Africa are currently minnow level too in subcontinent but they fare better in England and New Zealand.

New Zealand did well in Pakistan.

NZ get their backsides kicked in England, South Africa, India, Australia, SL, and Bangladesh. Pakistan gave them flat pitches; so, they did well.

NZ is also weak outside of NZ. That was my point.

[Ab Fan]

NZ get their backsides kicked in England, South Africa, India, Australia, SL, and Bangladesh. Pakistan gave them flat pitches; so, they did well.

NZ is also weak outside of NZ. That was my point.

Ofcourse NZ are weak outside NZ. But I think they did well in SL in their last tours. In England, they have done well also except the very last tour.

At present, SA are perhaps more closer to SL than NZ in the reckoning.

Aus/Ind
Eng
NZ
SA
Pak
SL
BD/WI

That would be the order.

[sweep_shot]

Ofcourse NZ are weak outside NZ. But I think they did well in SL in their last tours. In England, they have done well also except the very last tour.

At present, SA are perhaps more closer to SL than NZ in the reckoning.

Aus/Ind
Eng
NZ
SA
Pak
SL
BD/WI

That would be the order.

NZ always get their butts kicked in England. They only did well once in the past 20 years. But, that was when they were in good form.

This current bunch lost 0-3 in England recently.

In Test, BD are very bad. They are on par with Zimbabwe. BD's strength is ODI. Test is also not a big focus among players/fans.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 295/5.

Still trailing by 121 runs.

[sweep_shot]

Not sure why NZ keep on playing Bracewell instead of Sodhi or Ajaz.

Bracewell is harmless in Test.

[sweep_shot]

Dhananjaya de Silva is approaching his hundred. He is on 96*.

[sweep_shot]

SL - 317/5.

Still trailing by 99 runs.

[sweep_shot]

SL lose their 6th wicket.

Still 98 runs behind.

[sweep_shot]

Dhananjaya got out at 98.

SL - 322/7.

Trailing by 94 runs.

[Ab Fan]

NZ always get their butts kicked in England. They only did well once in the past 20 years. But, that was when they were in good form.

This current bunch lost 0-3 in England recently.

In Test, BD are very bad. They are on par with Zimbabwe. BD's strength is ODI. Test is also not a big focus among players/fans.

Yes, saw the ICC rating for BD. It is much worse than Windies. 76 vs 46.

[MenInG]

Ending soon this

SL flattered to deceive!

NZ 580/4 d
SL 164 & 349/8 (f/o) (132) CRR: 2.64
Day 4: 3rd Session - Sri Lanka trail by 67 runs

[MenInG]

NZ 580/4 d
SL 164 & 358 (f/o)

New Zealand won by an innings and 58 runs

PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Henry Nicholls

PLAYER OF THE SERIES
Kane Williamson

==


The standings have been finalised for the 2021-23 ICC World Test Championship period, with June's final at The Oval between Australia and India the only match remaining.

The current ICC World Test Championship period has come to an end, following the completion of the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka finally showed some fight on the fourth day in Wellington, but skipper Tim Southee (3/51) got the final breakthrough to ensure New Zealand clinched a comfortable innings and 58-run victory over Dimuth Karunaratne's side.

The triumph helped New Zealand jump from eighth to sixth on the World Test Championship standings, with Pakistan and West Indies each dropping a place following the final Test of the period.

There is of course still the World Test Championship final ahead, with Australia and India scheduled to do battle in the one-off Test at The Oval in London at the start of June after they finished in the top two positions on the standings.

South Africa finish in third place and narrowly behind India in second, while England rise to third and in front of Sri Lanka following the Asian nation's 2-0 series loss to New Zealand.

Sri Lanka could have qualified for the final with a 2-0 series sweep over New Zealand, but a narrow loss in the first match of the series and a disappointing effort in the second Test saw them drop to fifth on the standings.

There were some positives for the island nation on Monday, with Dhananjaya de Silva (98), Nishan Madushka (39) and Kasun Rajitha (20) frustrating New Zealand and making it hard for the hosts to take wickets.

But Blair Tickner (3/84), Michael Bracewell (2/100) and Southee dug deep to ensure the Kiwis finished the series and the World Test Championship period on a high.

ICC

[Joseph Gomes]

It doesn't bother me if you call Bangladesh a minnow.

Bangladesh actually won a Test in New Zealand, BTW.

What is that supposed to prove? Bangladesh is good team?

[sweep_shot]

What is that supposed to prove? Bangladesh is good team?

Bangladesh are pretty good at home. Not good away from home.

Anyway, you may continue your childish rant. It is obvious you suffer from untreated saltiness.

[sweep_shot]

Lankans have done well.

This series has highlighted NZ's decline. They could've easily lost the 1st game.

[Joseph Gomes]

Bangladesh are pretty good at home. Not good away from home.

Anyway, you may continue your childish rant. It is obvious you suffer from untreated saltiness.

What's the w/l ratio of Bangladesh at home? I don't remember what Bangladesh did for anybody tobe salty about.

[sweep_shot]

What's the w/l ratio of Bangladesh at home? I don't remember what Bangladesh did for anybody tobe salty about.

Cool story.

If you are not salty, not sure why you are still commenting. LOL.

Either way, no Bangladeshi has to care what you have to say about Bangladesh. You are irrelevant.

Now, please have some respect for PakPassion and stop derailing the thread with your salty rants.

[sweep_shot]

What's the w/l ratio of Bangladesh at home? I don't remember what Bangladesh did for anybody tobe salty about.

Since you are behaving like a childish fruitcake, I am putting you on ignore list. I suggest you to not tag me as I am unlikely to see it thanks to PakPassion's effective ignore feature.

God bless PakPassion.

[sweep_shot]

So, Southee was the highest wicket-taker in this series. Picked up 11 wickets.

Williamson shined with the bat. 337 runs at an average of around 168.

Lankan bowlers underperformed.

[Nikhil_cric]

Top 5 sides are the only sides that seem to matter in Test cricket.

[Joseph Gomes]

Since you are behaving like a childish fruitcake, I am putting you on ignore list. I suggest you to not tag me as I am unlikely to see it thanks to PakPassion's effective ignore feature.

God bless PakPassion.

Seems like you got chip on your shoulder. I am replying to you highlight how immature and disrespectful you have been. No need to be defensive people criticize your favorite team.

Don't embarass yourself with poor conduct on public forums

[sweep_shot]

Top 5 sides are the only sides that seem to matter in Test cricket.

Test is dying.

Top 5 may get reduced to top 3 or worse.

[gazza619]

Pretty pointless for Pakistan & Sri lanka touring Australia & NZ. They always receive a big bashing.