Sri Lanka upbeat for Kiwi series

CHRISTCHURCH—Sri Lanka are hopeful of improving a dismal Test record in New Zealand in the two-match series, which gets under way in Christchurch on Thursday.
They have only won one game on New Zealand soil since first playing Test cricket there in 1983. “But we did pretty well in England (earlier this year) and we’re looking forward to making more progress in New Zealand,” said coach Tom Moody.
Sri Lanka’s chances have been boosted by injury problems in the New Zealand camp. The Kiwis will be without Scott Styris, Kyle Mills and Michael Mason, the latter ruled out on Wednesday after suffering a hamstring strain in a domestic match. But they do have Shane Bond, one of the world’s quickest bowlers, fit to make his first Test appearance since March. New Zealand have shaken up their batting line-up by recalling Mathew Sinclair and Craig Cumming following good domestic form. But the key wicket for Sri Lanka will be home skipper Stephen Fleming, who has made more than 1,000 runs against them in 11 previous Tests at an average of 68, including an innings of 274 not out at Colombo three years ago.
The tourists have only had a single four-day game against Otago to acclimatise but most of their batsmen made runs, especially opener Upul Tharanga, who hit 108 in the second innings. Star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and seam bowler Chaminda Vaas did not play in that game, but are certain starters in the Test.
“Everyone’s in form, I reckon. It’s just a matter of adapting pretty quickly to different conditions to what we’ve been playing in,” said vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara. “Right now, the guys have no complaints.” The two sides last met in New Zealand in April last year, when the home side won 1-0.
“The last time we saw them, they were probably at the start of an upward curve. We beat them quite comprehensively, but it’s probably not a true reflection of the side they are at the moment,” spin bowler Daniel Vettori commented.—Agencies