New Zealand aim to build on winning start against Sri Lanka
After thrashing the Indians by a whopping margin of 200 runs, the Black caps have the Sri Lankans in their sights. The Kiwis will aim to strengthen their position in the three nation tournament being played at the Rangiri International at Dambulla.
This is the second One-Day tournament that is taking place in the city in the last three months. Following the Asia Cup tournament that was staged in April contested by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, besides the hosts.
The Asia Cup was won by the Indians when they shocked the hosts in a lopsided final. Yet they came crashing down to earth in the opening match of the Tri-Series tournament against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754. A rampant Black Caps outfit, that included many youngsters yet to establish themselves at the highest level, handed them a 200 run defeat.
For the second match of the series the Black Caps are aiming to topple the hosts. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 is the favourite for the title given their impressive track record on their home grounds.
The Sri Lankans have reshuffled their team for the event leaving out all-rounder Favreez Mahroof. Muttiah Muralitheran announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. But he wants to continue playing in the limited overs format until the 2011 World Cup, set to be played in the Indian sub-continent in February-March.
In place of the duo the Sri Lankans have brought in the likes of Dilhara Fernando, Thisara Perera, and Chamara Silva in their fold. They hope that the pack of youngsters would keep their good form in the limited overs variety intact and help them reach the final.
On the other hand the Black Caps proved that even in the Sub-Continent they can be a real handful. Especially in conditions where the ball jags around as the Indians encountered folding up for a measly 88.
The Kiwis batted first and recovered splendidly to post a sizeable total of 288 runs. With stand-in captain Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Praveen-Kumar-c82600.
The veteran Styris gave support to his captain with a brilliant stand worth 190 runs.
The New Zealand bowlers then tightened the noose around the Indians with Tuffey and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mills-c76321 proving to be a real handful in seamer friendly conditions under the lights.
They kept chipping away at Indian wickets at regular intervals. Dismantling the Indian batting line-up for under 100 runs.
Meanwhile, the conditions are expected to be the same for the second match with the toss once again being the critical as the ball seriously jags around under lights. Any total of around the 200 run mark is going to be a real problem for the team chasing.
Another problem for the team batting second is the sub-standard lights at the venue that makes sighting the ball a real issue for the batsman.
The Sri Lankans would be relying on their experienced batsmen to set a decent total for them, with Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedra and Upul Tharanga expected to make the runs. That their balanced bowling attack, led by Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajantha-c42419 Mendis, and Rangana Herath, can easily defend.
Fast bowlers Malinga and Kulasekara would be the linchpin of the attack, with Herath and Mendis providing the spinning options for Sangakkara.
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