1st September 2009
After a Test series in which they were run ragged by Sri Lanka, two Twenty20 internationals will probably be a welcome release for some of the New Zealand players. There is little riding on the outcome of two Twenty20 internationals except perhaps the chance to take an edge into the ensuing 50-over tri-series and New Zealand have been talking serious business in the build-up.
On paper, a promising bat-versus-ball extravaganza is promised in either innings; Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan against Shane Bond - set for an international return - and Daniel Vettori, and, as the teams change over, Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor against Ajantha Mendis and Lasith Malinga. New Zealand will take some confidence from the fact that Muttiah Muralitharan won't be playing due to injury. Bond's return adds depth with the ball, so although Sri Lanka have been comfortably superior in recent weeks New Zealand may hope that changes in the coming days.
Failing to win the World Twenty20 in England this summer, having done so well to reach the final, frustrated Sri Lanka and being soundly beaten in the one-off against Pakistan at home was no balm. The last time these two met, during the World Twenty20, Sri Lanka came out with a 48-run win in a pressure situation. On that occasion New Zealand were bamboozled by a magical spell of 3 for 9 from Mendis and ousted from a tournament where their batting failed to fire. The way the batsmen have faced spin so far on tour, Vettori will hope history doesn't repeat itself.
Murali has been ruled out with a groin injury that flared up on day five at the SSC and the legspinner Malinga Bandara has been drafted in in his place. The other spinning allrounder, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, may also slot in. Angelo Mathews will return and there may be a debut for the rookie batsman Gihan Rupasinghe. Sri Lanka's fast bowling attack is boosted by Lasith Malinga.
New Zealand are likely to draft in a number of players with Shane Bond's return topping the bill. Bond and Kyle Mills will likely step into the role Chris Martin and Iain O'Brien filled during the Tests but Ian Butler, a real asset with his stump-to-stump bowling, will put pressure on Mills. Peter McGlashan will keep wickets to allow McCullum to clear his shoulders at the top. McCullum's opening partner is slotted to be Jesse Ryder, meaning a likely promotion to No. 5 for Jacob Oram. The other allrounder's spot will be contested between Neil Broom and Grant Elliott while Nathan McCullum's offspin and handy hitting should slot him in as Vettori's partner.
Sri Lanka v New Zealand Odds Click Here
