Dambulla, Aug. 18: The tri-series is on a cusp. Thursday’s clash between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is an opportunity for one unit to get ahead of the rest. As it stands, India and New Zealand have a bonus point each, leaving the hosts to play catch-up.
New Zealand have certainly enjoyed the conditions here. In denying the hosts a bonus point, they showed commitment and discipline.
The bowling and fielding departments have held well and the missing link has been a solid top-order.
The loss of early wickets is what has robbed them of initiative against the spinners.
The experience of Ross Taylor and Scott Styris did the job against India but the lack of partnerships hurt the Kiwis against Lanka.
B.J. Watling showed why he highly regarded but Kane Williamson is struggling to come to terms with international cricket and Martin Guptill has also not measured up well. Nathan McCullum will have a pivotal role to play with the bat and ball and the return of Jacob Oram will add to the all-round strength. The big hitting Oram has recovered fully from a hamstring pull and could replace Tim Southee. The rest of the team is unlikely to be tampered with.
It will not be easy for Kumar Sangakkara to lift his men after the crushing loss to India and the unsavoury incident that marked the defeat.
Lanka’s batsmen usually dominate at home but that has not been the case so far. A lot depends on the skipper as Tillakaratne Dilshan has been up and down and Mahela Jayawardene has not been consistent.
Angelo Mathews provides a cutting edge but the squad have failed to click as a unit. It is difficult to judge a side based on one or two matches but there is a definite need for Sri Lanka to prop up their batting.