NZ v SL 4th ODI Preview: Both the teams will look to start the year with a win

It had been four weeks into Sri Lanka’s tour to New Zealand and the Lankan Tigers only tasted defeat. With that humiliation at Christchurch things seemed to turn hellish even further. But their revival at Nelson came as a reminder to all that the Lankans are up for the fight. It was by far their most comprehensive day on the field during the entire tour.

Their greatest find of the tour has to be Dushmantha Chameera. Started as a third change bowler in the beginning, but is now taking the new ball. Some might say that he bowls the bouncer too often and the Yorker not enough, but the team believes he is eager to learn. He seems to have quite the knack to pick up wickets. Captain Angelo Mathews too has backed him up by trusting him to pick up wickets in the middle overs rather than saving him for the death overs.

Others who impressed were leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who troubled batsmen on a track not particularly suitable for spin and Danushka Gunathilaka who provided strength and stability at the top of the order. As the used pitch is expected to turn more, Sri Lanka will look to add another frontline spinner to add vigour to their bowling attack.

Losing Tim Southee for the rest of the series initially seemed like a huge blow to the home side but such is the depth of their bowling bank that the man replacing him has been the bowler of the series. Matt Henry absolutely demolished the Lankans in Christchurch but the slower and lower might take away some of his venom. No doubt he will still be a threat for the opposition.

For the first time, Kiwi batting looked a bit shaky on Thursday. With Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi still searching for form, it could be an area Sri Lanka could look to exploit. Also, Mitchell Santner doesn’t seem to be ready yet to be the best spin option although he has shown promise. Brendon McCullum could be out recovering from a back injury.

Kiwis have enough talent to counter spin in the likes of Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Martin Guptill and Henry. But on a used Saxton pitch, the young Lankan side will be looking to showcase their real potential.

New Zealand Squad:

Brendon McCullum(c), Doug Bracewell, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson

Sri Lanka Squad:

Angelo Mathews (c), Lahiru Thirimanne (vc), Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Pradeep, Danushka Gunathilaka, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Sachithra Senanayake, Milinda Siriwardana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Thisara Perera