Kiwis play just two Tests against Sri Lanka

New Zealand has cut down their Test series from three Tests to two, to concentrate more on the shorter version of the game when the Sri Lankans tour New Zealand in late November 2006 - January 2007.

Originally New Zealand were to play three Tests and five one day Internationals. But now they will play two Twenty 20 Internationals instead of a third Test.

The focus has been more on the limited over games as the World Cup competition will be around the corner in the West Indies ( March -April 2007) and the limitation of the Test matches to two, is partly due to the uncertain weather condition which prevails at that time.

The Twenty 20 World Cup cricket competition is scheduled to be held in South Africa in September 2006.

Sri Lanka last toured New Zealand in December 2004, but they had to come back home after playing a couple of limited over internationals due to the tsunami disaster. In April 2005 they went back again to New Zealand to complete the tour and fared badly.

The New Zealand schedule - for the Sri Lanka tour.

November 30 to December 3 - Sri Lanka Vs Otage at Denedin. December 7 to 11 - First Test at Christchurch. December 15 to 19 - Second Test at Wellington. December 22- First Twenty 20 International at Wellington. December 26. Second Twenty 20 at Auckland. December 28. First ODI at Napier. December 31. Second ODI at Queenstown. January 2nd 2007. Third ODI at Christchurch. January 6. Fourth ODI at Auckland. January 9 Fifth ODI at Hamilton. RA