The Sri Lanka Test team took wing to New Zealand for a 2-match series on 18th December morning as Angelo Mathews will lead a young and energetic squad in his first tour to Kiwi land.
Officially it was part-departure of the Sri Lanka team to the World cup 2015 as the team is not expected to come home until the end of their biggest assignment in 2 months time. Some of the team will join up after the test matches for the 7 ODIs. Sri Lanka last toured New Zealand in 2006 where the 2-match test series ended 1-1. This test series will be followed by a 7-match ODI series which will be the ideal preparation for the world cup.
The Boxing Day Test will be played in Christchurch, before the teams move to the Basin Reserve for the second match in the New Year. The Lankan squad is filled with young and inexperienced Test players and from the squad only 2 players, Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene have played international cricket before in Kiwi land. Skipper Angelo Mathews touring New Zealand for the first time shared his exclusive thoughts on the fresh challenge with www.thepapare.com, “Maiden tour to New Zealand will always be challenging to any player and I’m looking forward to acclimatize well and lead the team to victory.”
Sri Lanka Test squad looks thin in experience yet boasted with immense talent including few young uncapped bowlers, Tharindu Kaushal and Dushmantha Chameera. Both players from NCC have been largely picked due to their impressive first-class performances recently. Off-spinner Kaushal was named in the Sri Lanka team two earlier but failed to make it to the playing XI. The 21-year old has grabbed a staggering 133 wickets in 23 first-class matches since his debut in February, 2013. Chameera known to be a raw pacer regularly bowling in 140kmphs has captured 42 wickets in 18 games in his short domestic career. Angelo made valuable comments on his young brigade, “This will be a big tour for the young players to capitalize the given opportunity and establish themselves in the Test team. “
Newly married Lahiru Thirimanne and his two groomsmen, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunarathne will have lot to prove during these two games against a strong bowling attack in bouncy wickets. Sri Lanka will be closely eyeing the 7-match series more than the 2-Test series with the Kiwis being the co-hosts of the world cup 2015. “We are confident that we can get used to the conditions perfectly with this long tour of 2 months. New Zealand is a tough place to win but we have won series’ in places likes England recently and we are in a good frame of mind to get the maximum out of this tour.” Angelo said.
“We have to be mentally and physically fit for the most-important game on February 14th. We cannot risk our main players in this long tour. I’m grateful to the administrators for arranging this tour before the world cup which will help us acclimatize to the conditions. “, Sri Lanka head coach Marvan Atapattu told the media before leaving to the airport.
Sri Lanka Test squad
Angelo Mathews (Captain), Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Prasanna Jayawardena, Dinesh Chandimal, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Dhammika Prasad, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath (Subject to fitness)
