Lankans hold advantage playing at home

A limited-over series of interest will begin when New Zealand and Sri Lanka kick start a five match bash with the first one beginning here at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here today. Even the weather gods turned their backs on the absurdity of playing a one off Twenty20 and unable to watch the mockery perpetrated on the game, came down heavily to abandon the game under lights on Tuesday.


Playing a five-match one day series is more sensible. After the first game here the teams move to the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and then to the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Sooriyawewa for two games at each venue.


The focus is on the weather and at the time of writing there is a bit of cloud cover with the sun is straining to breakthrough at times. Today Wednesday is a rest day and indications are that Thursday, the match day will be sunny.

In the overs limited format, the cruel thing that could occur is the inviting of Duckworth and Lewis to bowl their system for a result to be obtained. All teams dislike this system, but are forced to embrace this necessary evil.

It is hoped that the weather will be a sport and allow the full quota of over to be played in this five match series so that the cricketers, the sponsors and the cricket crazy fans could enjoy the thrill-a-minute chilling action. Sri Lanka and New Zealand who were fed with a surfeit of Twenty20 cricket during the World Championships recently, will don pads for 50 over cricket which will give them more freedom to unwind.

From Sri Lanka’s point of view will be the return of skipper Mahela Jayewardene and Lasith Malinga. Dilshan Munaweera who is not in the 50-over squad will make way for Jayewardene and Shamindra Eranga will step aside for Malinga.

The skipper winning the toss will be in a quandary. To bat or to field will be his headache. However it is likely that the captain calling correctly will want to bowl first.

That is because the wicket that has been kept covered is sure to retain moisture which will help seam and swing bowling early on. This was obvious in the Twenty20 when the Kiwis found their batting in disarray batting first.

Sri Lankans who are enjoying the home advantage will want to call the shots and skin the Kiwis. To do that they will field their best possible eleven and go for the Jayewardene and Tillekeratne Dilshan will face the new ball. Upul Tharanga might also nudge the selectors for an opener’s slot.

They are now an experienced opening pair and will endeavour to give their side a platform for the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimane, Jeevan Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Tharanga if he does not open to pile on the runs.

A lot will depend on the experienced threesome of Jayewardene, Dilshan and Sangakkara. They must make it their business to make big runs throughout the one-day and Test series if Sri Lanka is to perform. While the new ball will be in the capable hands of Mathews and Nuwan Kulesekera, with Thisara Perera for support, Jayewardene will have to make a call on whether to go in with two spinners in Rangana Herath and Akila Dhananjaya.

As for the Kiwis their men with experience will have to shoulder the burden. Skipper Ross Taylor along with the McCallum brothers Brendon and Nathan, Jacob Oram and James Franklin must strike and show the youngsters Trent Boult, Kane Williamson, Andrew Ellis and Brad Watling the way.

Their bowling will be handled by Kylie Mills, Tim Southee, Franklin, Oram and Nathan McCallum. Keep your fingers crossed for an exciting first game in the five match series weather permitting.