Sri Lanka V New Zealand – 2nd Test – Sri Lankan Players to watch out for - Part I
After handing on-tour http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 led Sri Lankan contingent is all set to take on the Kiwis in the second and final encounter of the series at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, from Sunday, November 25, 2012.
The Islanders have had a tumultuous 2011 season, which saw them losing almost all of the Test and ODI series played under http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691. However, since Mahela Jayawardene’s reappointment at the helm in February this year, the Lankan Lions seem to have regained their lost form.
They started the year with a 1-1 Test series draw against the then No. 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Muralitharan-c1864’s retirement in July 2010.
The Islanders also lead the ongoing two Test series against New Zealand 1-0, and are the favourites to outclass the Black Caps at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, to inflict a 2-0 series whitewash over the tourists.
In a bid to secure their first Test series whitewash in more than three years, Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene will have to bank on his talented arsenal.
The lot kicks off with the skipper himself, followed by veteran wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802.
Mahela Jayawardene:
The ever dependable Jayawardene is one of the most experienced players on the Sri Lankan roster. The right-hander has always played a pivotal role for the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808, both as captain as well as a top order batsman.
Jayawardene led his side to a comfortable victory in the previous game by smashing a stupendous 91. In the series opener, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Frank-Dimuth-Madushanka-Karunaratne-c57388 both scoring noughts – and the side was soon reeling at 50 for 5.
Skipper Jayawardene along with his deputy Angelo Mathews (79) bailed out the hosts with a 156-run stand for the sixth wicket. The rest of the line-up failed to get past the 17-run mark, with seven batsmen falling for single digit scores.
The 35-year-old Colombo born is a God gifted player who loves to drive the ball towards off-side. The veteran is also a very good player of spin as he uses his feet very well against the slow bowlers. As the senior member as well as the skipper of the side, the dazzling batsman will look to continue the good work and play a pivotal role in his team's win in the series decider in Colombo.
Jayawardene’s Test debut came in 1997, and since then he has played in 134 matches, scoring a mammoth total of 10631 runs at a startling average of 50.62.
Kumar Sangakkara:
The key batting asset of the Sri Lankan team, Kumar Sangakkara is an exceptional left-handed batsman. Despite his side enduring a tough 2011 season, the wicketkeeper batsman emerged as the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test Cricketer of the Year.
The 35-year-old veteran smashed 1,444 runs, including five centuries and an equal number of half-tons, at an average exceeding 60.16 with a highest score of 211 during the 12-month voting period spanning August 2011 to August 2012.
Continued in Part II...
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