Sri Lanka draw first blood

The last lap of one day games have begun for most of the teams, before gearing up for the World Cup. For three months or so test cricket will be stored away. That underlines the importance that is being emphasized on this once in four year extravaganza.Every team will leave no stone unturned in their preparation for this big month next year. No coach, no captain, no team wants to be found short of preparation.

Sri Lanka began their preparation with the first ODI’s in New Zealand against the Black Caps. They play four games and the international matches conclude before their departure to the Caribbean. Suddenly, time seems to be catching up!

The experience in India at the Champions trophy was bitter. They were riding on the crest of the wave, when they got washed away by Pakistan and South Africa. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise, expose certain shortcomings. It is a nudge to tell them that more preparation was needed. Most importantly it is to bring home that simple point, that it is a game of short duration and on the day, all eleven must perform or perish.

All round it was a good start to the campaign. They got a good cricket pitch to play this game in Napier. There was adequate pace, good bounce and carry and some sideways movement too. On one side the square boundary was on fifty eight metres and that was a bonus for the batsman. Through the game there were runs to be scored.

New Zealand will be disappointed with the result but will certainly be pleased with the showing of young Ross Taylor. He displayed a variety of strokes and struck the ball with plenty of power. Should this twenty two year old be able to continue improving in the future, the Black Caps have unearthed a star.

Nathan Astle is their experienced batsman and his performance at the top of the order is a factor in the team building a sizeable total. His form too was impressive.

Although the Sri Lankans conceded 285 runs in fifty overs, it was a satisfactory performance on that pitch. They were also successful in not permitting the opposition to run amok in the death overs. Most heartening was the bowling form of Chaminda Vaas and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Vaas who did not have such a good Champions Trophy tour, bowled astutely. He finished with figures of 3 – 50 in the ten overs which was a good return and in the context of the game economical too. Jayasuriya too was full of bubble delivering his ten overs for forty two runs. Very economical in the midst of the onslaught. Vaas, Jayasuriya and Muralitharan form the core of the Sri Lankan attack and their showing with the ball will be of great importance in every game.

Any team that scores 285 runs in their 50 overs, batting first has got a very decent score on the board and will consider in with a chance of winning the game. Not so when Sanath Jayasuriya is in a murderous mood. On the day he batted as well as he has ever done. Although he blasted all the bowlers never were there any unorthodox strokes. He thoroughly enjoyed his stay at the crease and after ten overs had totally wrested the advantage back in Sri Lanka’s favour.

Full marks to Upul Tharanga too for his supporting role. He played it in grand style, composed and elegant continuing to impress. Their stand of 201 runs destroyed the Black Caps. Jayawardena and Sangakkara also got themselves some useful batting practice, as the team coasted to a comfortable victory with ten overs to spare.

That was doing it in style. This is the beginning. It is a good time to build confidence, collect a good team and individual performances and build-up to a peak in the next three months. Well done Sri Lanka, stay focused on the task at hand.