SRI LANKA AIMING TO MAINTAIN SERIES LEAD
The second ODI was going smoothly before two interruptions due to rain hampered the proceedings which ended in a 14 runs win in favour of Sri Lanka on the Duckworth'Lewis
Sri Lanka who has taken a one-nil lead in the five match ODI series against New Zealand after their win in the second ODI played on Sunday at the Pallekele Stadium will be aiming to maintain the lead when the two sides meet each other in the third ODI scheduled to be played at the same venue today from 2.30 p.m. onwards. The second ODI was going smoothly before two interruptions due to rain hampered the proceedings which ended in a 14 runs win in favour of Sri Lanka ontheDuckworth'Lewis;
New Zealand will no doubt be frustrated as the matches so far have been effected by rain. The first match which was the one off T20 encounter was abandoned after 16 overs of play while the first ODI was washed out without a ball being bowled and the third over was called off in the 23rd over during Sri Lanka's runchase. However in the second ODI the Sri Lanka team's bowling was left much to be desired as after having the New Zealand batsmen under control they lost the momentum after the arrival skipper Ross Raylor. Apart from Lasith Malinga who ended up with best figures of 2 for 39 in his ten overs the others failed to make any impression and for today's game skipper Jayawardena will be looking forward for another good effort from Malinga along with Rangana Herath who too bowled impressively. Skipper Jayawardena must see to the last few overs as their opponents slammed 76 runs in the last nine overs which helped them prop up a reasonable and challenging score when they were struggling. Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekera who together gave away over 100 runs will have to be more constructive and they are capable of performing better.
In the batting department Sri Lanka's approach in their run chase more than positive as they scored at the rate of five runs an over throughout the innings which enabled to come out winners on the D/L method. So what they need to do today is approach the game with the same mentality and put in the pressure on their opponents. However it's left to be seen what the final team is going to be as there is a possibility of some changes being made after the final look of the pitch today.
On the other hand the effort put in by New Zealand on SundayI having scored the highest ODI score of 250 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka was in vain but even then they showed that they have a well balanced side and are capable. Some of the top order batsman in the likes of Rob Nicol, B.J. Watling, skipper Taylor and James Franklin was able give a good account of themselves.
Taylor who made a 62 ball knock of 72 will be the man for Sri Lanka to keep an eye as he showed that he has the will power and the temperament not to be under pressure during bad situations. Watling and Nicol though slow on their approach did the rightful by accumulating the runs and denying the Sri Lanka bowlers to make any headway in the early stages of the innings. Nevertheless with Sri Lanka one up in the series their opponents New Zealand who have lost eight of their previous nine ODI games will be looking forward to break that jinx and also come on par in the five match series. However the weather condition at Palle- kele though sunny in the morning and afternoon is a bit gloomy during the evenings and the prediction is that light showers are expected, let's hope that the weather god will be kind and give a full days of play.
THE SQUADS:
Sri Lanka - Mahela Jayawardena (Capt), Angelo Mathews, Kumar Sangakkara, T.M. Dilshan, Jeewan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekera, Upul Tharanga, Akila Dananjaya, Shaminda Eranga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Tharindu Kaushal. New Zealand - Ross Taylor (Capt), Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, James Franklin, Rob Nicol, Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Kane Wiiliamson, Tom Latham, Trent Boult, B.J. Watling, Adam Milne, Andrew Ellis, Ronnie Hira.