Sri Lanka to bring in Maharoof

Elmo Rodrigopulle from New Zealand

CRICKET: Queenstown Events Centre, Saturday

Queenstown which normally looks a picture was a cover of cloud and rain and the wicket was covered for the Second One-day bash between New Zealand and Sri Lanka to be played tomorrow starting at 11 a.m. local time and 3.30 a.m. Sri Lanka time.

However indications are that play would begin on time. The Lankans are likely to make one change and bring in all-rounder Farveez Maharoof for Dilhara Fernando. Usually it is not done to change a winning combination. But the change has been necessitated because Fernando was more awry than on line and conceded too many runs which is a double bonus for the opponents.

The wicket however is expected to provide early life to the bowlers because of the moisture. But should settle as the game progresses. The side winning the toss would prefer to bat first. Whether the Blackcaps would want to bat first after what Sri Lanka did to them after they got a formidable score, would be interesting to watch.

As for the Lankans batting first or second would not matter. After the stroll they made in winning the first game in Napier chasing a score of 285.

The Lankans who started the tour on a disastrous note, losing the First Test in Christchurch, came back magnificently to pocket the Second Test, and what they did to the Blackcaps in the first limited over game is history now.

The Lankans led capably by Mahela Jayawardena are now a settled side full of confidence and raring to pounce on the Kiwis and devour them. They drew first blood and upset the rhythm of the Kiwis with a fine telling performance. The Lankan selectors fielded the best possible combination and that they delivered was great. Of the bowlers Chaminda Vaas the experienced campaigner was the most impressive. He would have had better figures had the catch of Nathan Astle been taken and a couple LBW decisions gone in his favour. Bowlers such as Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof should watch and try to emulate Vaas' style of bowling. He is always wicket to wicket and makes batsmen struggle for runs. Malinga went for some extra runs, but he was always a frightening proposition to the Blackcap batsmen who are struggling to read him.

The spinners Muttiah Muralitheran, Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillekeratne Dilshan will again have to do a containing job.They did it wonderfully well in the first game. The fielding needs a bit of improvement. As for the batting, it is in the capable hands of Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardena, Kumar Sangakkara,Marvan Atapattu,Chamara Silva, Dilshan and Chaminda Vaas. Maharoof's inclusion should add more muscle to the batting.

As for the Blackcaps, Ross Taylor was the most impressive. He has a fine array of strokes all round the wicket and times his shots well. Of Samon descent, he is promising and should be the future of their cricket.

Brendon McCallum, Nathan Astle, Peter Foulton, skipper Daniel Vettori and the Marshall brothers, James and Hamish are all capable batsmen. Bowlers James Franklin, Michael Mason, Gillespie and Vettori would endeavour to put the brakes on the free scoring Sri Lankan batsmen.

With the thrashing that the Blackcaps received, it has raised questions about the wisdom of their rotation policy where they left out skipper Stephen Fleming and Shane Bond.

The Kiwis would be looking to hit back and square the series, but the Lankans, if they guard against complacency, should go two up.