India - New Zealand opens triangular tourney on Tuesday

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: India will take on New Zealand in the opening match of the Triangular ODI Series on August 10 (Tuesday) at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

All matches will be day/night ones.

A Test or ODI Series between the two neighbouring countries create a lot of passion and with New Zealand too, being competitive, the spectators who make their way to Dambulla is bound to get their monies worth.

It was in September 2009 that these three countries featured in a ODI series for the Compaq Cup which India won defeating Sri Lanka. India should take the field as favourites judging by their previous impressive wins at the last Asia Cup played at Dambulla.

India’s team for this tournament looks similar to the one that they won the Asian cricket ‘plum’ in June this year.

26-year-old Ross Taylor who is next in line to take over from regular Captain Daniel Vettori will be tested once again with his leadership qualities which has been impressive so far. In the absence of Vettori who was injured while playing against Australia in Napier, Taylor led the side to victory.

However, the three teams will have to overcome one crucial factor, winning the ‘toss’ which is purely based on luck. During the last Asia Cup staged in this venue, the side batting second had to encounter sharp movement due to stiff cross winds which made stroke making difficult.

With India and Sri Lanka engaged in almost all forms of cricket home and away during the past few months, New Zealand will join hands to form a Triangular ODI Series from August 10 to 28.

The Kiwis who had arrived in advance may be to acclimatise to the conditions, has done well in the practice matches they played against Cricket Board XI, are eagerly looking forward for the contest.

“It is exciting and we are looking forward to meet two World class sides. We are here obviously to win “ said Ross Taylor the New Zealand Captain.

The Kiwis are without their two most experienced players skipper Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullun who have decided to take a rest in view of a heavy international schedule ahead. The duo have paved the way for a couple of youngsters to prepare themselves for the World Cup to be staged in the sub-continent next February.

The present New Zealanders have a blend of youth and experience. Besides Captain Ross Taylor, there is Deputy Kyle Mills, Grant Elliot, Jacob Oram and Scot Styris and an impressive young paceman Kane Williamson.

Match schedule

All day/night matches at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, Commencing 2.30 pm local time. Triangular ODI Series. Sri Lanka, India, New Zealand.

August 10 Tuesday: India Vs New Zealand

Friday 13: New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka

Monday 16: India Vs Sri Lanka

Thursday 19: New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka

Sunday 22: India Vs Sri Lanka

Wednesday 25: India Vs New Zealand

Saturday 28: Final

Sunday 29: Reserve day.

The teams

New Zealand: Ross Taylor (Captain), Kyle Mills (V. Captain), Grant Elliot, Martin Guptil, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Andy Mckay, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffy, Bradley John Watling, Kane Williamson.

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Rohith Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Yuraj Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Inshant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Praveen Kumar, S. Thivali.

Sri Lanka: (Probable team) Kumar Sangakkara, T.M. Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardena, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Thilina Kandamby, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedera, Nuwan Kulasekera, Lahiru Thirimanna, Dinesh Chandimal, Thilan Thushara, Ajantha Mendis.

Match Referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe).

On field umpires - 1st ODI: Simon Tauffel (Australia) and Ranmore Martinesz (Sri Lanka).

TV Umpire: Kumar Dharmasena

2nd ODI: Simon Tauffel and Kumar Dharmasena.

TV Umpire: T.H. Wijewardena

3rd ODI: Simon Tauffel and Ranmore Martinesz.

TV Umpire: T.H. Wijewardena

4th ODI: Azad Rauf (Pakistan) and T.H. Wijewardena (SL).

TV Umpire: Ranmore Martinesz

5th ODI: Azad Rauf (Pak) and Kumar Dharmasena(SL).

TV Umpire: Ranmore Martinesz

6th ODI: Azad Rauf and Asoka de Silva.

TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena.