Weather will play crucial role in series yet to begin
The Sri Lanka-New Zealand series had an inauspicious beginning with the first two games being washed out due bad weather. The tour opener between the two sides which was the one off T20 encounter at the Pallekele Stadium was ruined with only 16 overs of play being possible.
The second game which was the first of the five ODI scheduled to be played at the same venue was a non starter as things turned out worse with the match being completely washed out without a ball being bowled.
The weather turned to the worst due to the heavy shower experienced during the early part of the week which forced Sri Lanka Cricket to shift the two games that were to be played on November 4 and 6 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
The SLC having consulted the New Zealand officials and the others concerned has now decided to change the venue and the two matches goes back to the Pallekele Stadium to be played on November 4 and 6.
At present the R. Premadasa Stadium has been deemed unfit to play as half the ground is under water due to the area next to the stadium is overflowed with water which prevents the water in the ground at the R. Premadasa Stadium from subsiding.
So with rains having subsided in the last few days the two teams and the organizers will be hoping and praying that the rest of the tour would get on without being hampered by bad weather.
The series which was to begin with the new amendments of playing conditions for all formats of the game set by the ICC has yet not been able to be implemented.
However with the tour yet to begin the players of the two teams will be looking forward and raring to flex their muscles and also give the youngsters that have been included to showcase their talent with the aim of stamping their slot.
But Sri Lanka will be depending on their experience players as the squad that was named for the first ODI included Upul Tharanga and with options between Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne and Rangana Herath and Akila Dananjaya.
As skipper Mahela Jayawardena mentioned that there are options, it does not mean that we have to use them. We are glad that we posses some good all-rounders which has been the reason of us being consistent in the big games.
Skipper Jayawardena will be aiming to make use of Thisara Perera and T.M. Dilshan who both were scarcely used in the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Likewise much will be expected from Jerewan Mendis a dependable middle order batsman and who has been successful in recent times.
New Zealand’s trump card will be man in form Nathan McCullum who has been in top form while skipper Ross Taylor along with Brendon McCullum, allrounder Jacob Oram, Kyle Mills will be others to keep an eye on.
Nevertheless though the weather has to some extent been good so far, as mentioned earlier it is going to play a crucial role. Following this match the two teams will feature in the third ODI on Tuesday at the same venue.
Teams:
Sri Lanka – Mahela Jayawardena (Capt), Angelo Mathews, Kumar Sangakkara, T.M. Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Jeewan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath, Akila Dananjaya.
New Zealand – Ross Taylor (Capt), Jacob Oram, Nathan McCullum, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, James Franklin, Rob Nicol, Tom Letham, Tim Southee, Kane Wiiliamson, Ronnie Hira, Trent Boult, Adam Milne.
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