Seven weeks after that agonising defeat in the World Cup final, New Zealand begin their preparations for the next global tournament when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of three T20 matches on Sunday.
Sri Lanka will be eyeing up the World T20 next winter as an opportunity to get themselves back in the mix on the global stage so the next few months in this format of the game will be pretty big for them.
Sri Lanka
Having performed much better in the World Cup than many expected them to, Sri Lanka should go into this series, the format which at the minute they are likely to be the most competitive in, with their confidence high and fancying their chances of doing some damage. A lot of that will come from sharing the Test series and being in their own conditions as well it must be said.
If Sri Lanka are going to be successful both now and moving forward then they are going to need to ensure their batting remains strong and delivers the goods regularly. Their bowling is so often their weak link but when their bowlers only need to send four overs down that weakness is negated somewhat but their batting has to be aggressive from the off and sometimes that is alien to them, which provides a character test.
New Zealand
Ironically I happen to think this is New Zealand’s worst format of the game, although there is no doubt they are getting better at it. I think they lack depth with their firepower among their genuine batsmen, and they often get caught into that old school act of playing too many all-rounders who offer up bits and pieces bowling efforts but who only really end up going round the park which is counterproductive.
Often what looks like a deep batting line up doesn’t deliver either for New Zealand so it will be interesting to see how they line up for this match. I don’t mind them having a little bit of glue but they need more power hitters and a deeper batting line up if they are going to become a force in this format of the game. They also need to ensure they score big runs at the top of the order as that will crucial in Australia next year.
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Team News
Lasith Malinga is set to skipper the Sri Lankan side with a decision to be made on whether Kusal Perera plays or they go with someone fresh. Avishka Fernando is expected to lead things on the batting front.
New Zealand have given some of their big guns the series off so we will not be seeing the likes of Kane Williamson or Trent Boult here. Tim Southee will skipper the side while the likes of Seth Rance and Tom Bruce look set to get the chance to show what they can do.
Betting
Sri Lanka are drifting for this match but I think they could be worth taking a chance on. I think by virtue of the fact that they are resting players it is clear to see what sort of importance the tourists are placing on this series and as I’ve said above if Sri Lanka are to be relied upon in any format it is this one at the present time.
As long as the Sri Lankan batting line up can deliver the goods, and I think they will given that they are in their own conditions, then I think the home side are overpriced here. They have the banker four overs of Lasith Malinga and New Zealand players don’t play spin too well. At the prices I’m happy to play the value in this one and go with Sri Lanka to win the first T20 just as they did the Test series.
Tips
Back Sri Lanka to beat New Zealand for a 4/10 stake at 2.50 with Coral
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