 New Zealand will play Sri Lanka in the second T20I to be played at Florida in the USA. This is a part of the two T20I series between the two teams in a bid
to promote cricket in the USA.
Earlier, there were three T20Is played between the two sides in America. But
the problem with the first T20I was that it was to be played under lights on
Thursday at the same venue. The ICC ruled that the lights were not up to the
scratch for the international level and that meant that the USA cricket association
was left with one of the two options; either convert that game into a day encounter
or cancel it.
Click for Live Score Card of Sri Lanka Vs New ZealandThe USACA decided to cancel the game because expecting American audiences to
fill up a cricket stadium on a weekday was never going to be easy and the USACA
would have never wanted to give out a negative feel about the entire event.
The two sides will be playing in their second T20I here, and would have realised
how the conditions in the USA are. Mahela Jayawardene had made a remark
that most of the players in the side had not been to the USA and hence, it would
be difficult for the side to acclimatize to the entire event, that includes
the weather and the pitches.
Having said that, the experience would be a new one for New Zealand
as well, and so, the series should get exciting for the two sides.
For Sri Lanka, in this second T20I, they will need to ensure that they do not
repeat the same mistakes of the World T20. Sanath Jayasuriya cannot be given
so many chances as he looks to be blocking someone's place in the opening slot,
whereas it is high time that Tillakaratne Dilshan gets going with the
bat as well.
That said, it is not as if New Zealand has had a great time with the bat. Jesse Ryder absence was felt in the first T20I between the two sides, but the
rest of them need to take up more responsibility as the runs at the top of the
innings have been conspicuous by their absence. This has meant that the lower
order has come under a lot of pressure and hence, has not been able to complete
its duties.
Between the two bowling attacks, it will depend a lot on how the pitch behaves;
if it is slow and low, then Sri Lanka should hold the aces, while if it is quicker
and assisting the pace bowlers, then, New Zealand should be on the top.
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