After winning the test series against Pakistan rather convincingly, it will be
the turn of New Zealand to face the music in the hot and humid conditions
in Sri Lanka. And with the Lankan bowling doing rather well in both the
departments; the spin and pace, it will not be an easy ride for the Kiwis when
they play their first test match of the series at the Galle International Stadium.
Click for Live Score Card of Sri Lanka vs New Zealand
Sri Lanka will rely on their middle-order to be able to prop their batting
up. With Sanath Jayasuriya having already retired from the game, and
the new openers in Tharanga Paranavitana and Malinda Warnapura still finding
their feet at the international level, it will be left to the likes of Kumar
Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to do the most amount of damage for
the Lankans.
Having said that, they will definitely be bolstered by the return of Tillakaratne
Dilshan, who had been badly wounded during the series against Pakistan and
did not play a single ODI or T20I.
The bowling is a surprise factor to me. Even the Kiwi captain, Daniel Vettori,
admitted that the Lankan bowling was a concern given its depth. With Mutthiah
Muralitharan ever difficult to face up to and Ajantha Mendis wanting to
make a comeback to the playing eleven after being dismantled by the Pakistanis,
the swing and the seam afforded to the quick bowlers can only add to the Kiwi
woes!
The other problem that New Zealand could face is with their own batting line-up.
In Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn, they have three batsmen
at the top who have very little experience at international cricket. And then,
playing under the Lankan conditions can be baptism by fire for any of the cricketers,
let alone greenhorns like them. Ross Taylor has exhibited great form in the
tour games, having scored two successive half centuries and looks to be in touch.
What will hold the Kiwis in a good stead will be their depth in the batting,
with Daniel Vettori being one of the most under-rated all-rounders around, and
if Jeetan Patel also plays, that would push the batting down to number
nine. Incidentally, Patel scored a 39 and a 72 in the two innings he batted
in the warm-up games.
The bowling is a conundrum that will necessitate the knowledge of the pitch
conditions. However, it does look like that there will be a toss-up between
Darryl Tuffey and Iain O'Brien for the final bowling spot. In all probabilities,
Jacob Oram, Chris Martin, Vettori and Patel should make it through to
the attack.
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