With the ODI series ending in a stalemate, both Sri Lanka and New Zealand would be keen to end the tour on a high. For starters, they would pray for the Rain Gods to stay away to allow for an interruption-free series, something which had marred the contest in the ODIs. Also with the T20I World Cup in Bangladesh just a few months away, a few psychological points would be on offer for the victorious team. It would also be good practice for the marquee event given the fact that conditions in Sri Lanka would not be too different from the neighbouring Bangladesh. Sri Lanka Dinesh Chandimal would lead an experienced and strong Sri Lankan batting unit. The three mustketeers - Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene would again form the nucleus of the batting. Jayawardene with 1332 runs at an average of 32.48 coupled with an impressive strike rate of 134.4 is the second highest run-getter in T20I history. He is closely followed by Dilshan and Sangakkara who are at number 4 and 5 respectively on the list. Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera are dangerous all-rounders coming down the order well capable of clearing any field. Sachithra Senanayake and Ajantha Mendis would lead the spin attack and will pose a question or two for the New Zealand batsmen who are not known to be the greatest players of quality spin bowling. It would be interesting to see if Sri Lanka experiment with youth and inexperience keeping in mind the World Cup next year and include off-spinning all- rounder Ramith Rambukwella and leg- spinner Seekkuge Prasanna in the final eleven. Lasith Malinga, with 51 wickets from 45 matches will spearhead the fast bowling attack. New Zealand New Zealand would be without their best three - Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson. McCullum with 1882 aggregate T20I runs is the highest run-getter in the format. It would give a chance for the likes of Neil Broom and Antom Devcich to show their batting prowess. The former scored a blitzkrieg century for the Otago Volts in the Champions League 2013 in India and his side would look up to him to replicate that performance. Kyle Mills, the skipper, would lead the pace bowling attack with able support from Ian Butler, Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne. Natham McCullum will be a key cog in the New Zealand lower- order. He can provide the innings with the necessary impetus at the death and also has the knack of breaking partnerships and picking up wickets at crucial junctures in the match. Grant Eliott and Jimmy Neesham will add balance to the team with their all-round ability. Head to Head Sri Lanka: 4, New Zealand: 5 Weather conditions Isolated showers are predicted and there is a possibility of a curtailed match. Squads Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Seekkuge Prasanna, Ramith Rambukwella, Suranga Lakmal, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara. New Zealand: Kyle Mills (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Anton Devcich, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Rob Nicol, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford. 2 Like Tweet
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 02:41:35 +0000
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