NZ v SL 2nd T20I Preview: Sri Lanka search an elusive win to end the tour

Sri Lanka has been largely outclassed by New Zealand in all formats on this tour to the picturesque country. The islanders have had their moments, however, the home side has still found the means to prevail. Sri Lanka had looked good going into the final four overs in the first T20I yet through clever bowling and brilliant fielding New Zealand ensured they would not lose a series this tour.

Sri Lanka:

The top order has been a major worry for the visitors. In the first T20I, Sri Lanka was 42/4 after 5 overs and the run chase seemed to be going haywire. Milinda Siriwardana though continued his impressive show on the tour and got his team close but the top order will hope to contribute substantially by exploring the small boundaries at Eden Park.

Sri Lanka has taken pride in safeguarding their top T20 ranking more or less since the 2012 World T20, but if they complete their modest tour with another loss, they will be knocked off the top spot in the ICC rankings for the shortest format. Thisara Perera’s place is likely to miss out after a modest outing in Mount Maunganui, as is Suranga Lakmal. Isuru Udana and Dushmantha Chameera may have roles to play in this all-important decider. Danushka Gunathilaka has been Sri Lanka’s most recent find of the tour and will look to continue his good run.

New Zealand:

The hosts, meanwhile, appear to have a top-order plan in place for the World T20. Colin Munro hit a 26-ball 36 that should help tighten his grip on that number 3 spot while Ross Taylor is expected to have a long run at number 5 in this format, now called on to finish the innings. Taylor’s move at the said position means Corey Anderson will assume the number 4 position, for now at least. It is hoped that more time at the crease will translate into bigger runs from Anderson.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson had said that all 13 in New Zealand’s squad would play at some point of the series. This means Adam Milne and Mitchell Santner are both likely to play this match. Ish Sodhi and Mitchell McClenaghan appear likeliest to be left out. The drop-in pitch at Eden Park is usually full of runs, but can turn on occasion. The home side will look to explore the conditions to the fullest and complete a series win across all formats.

Form guide (last five matches, most recent first):

New Zealand: WWLWL

Sri Lanka: LLWLL

New Zealand (probable): 1 Kane Williamson (capt), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Colin Munro 4 Corey Anderson, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Grant Elliott, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Luke Ronchi (wk), 9 Adam Milne, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Trent Boult

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Dinesh Chandimal (capt & wk), 4 Shehan Jayasuriya, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Milinda Siriwardana, 7 Chamara Kapugedera, 8 Thisara Perera/Isuru Udana, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Jeffrey Vandersay

Stats:

1. West Indies will become the No. 1 T20 team if Sri Lanka is defeated at Eden Park.

2. Martin Guptill is now New Zealand’s top T20I run scorer with McCullum having completed his illustrious career in T20Is. With 1472 career runs he is fifth on the overall list.