On Wednesday, December 18, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the strong squad for the upcoming T20I series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team.
The Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand consists of a three-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series. The first two T20I matches are set to be played on December 28 and 30 in Mount Maunganui with the third match scheduled to be hosted by Nelson on January 2.
After that, the two teams will be taking on each other in three ODI matches on January 5, 8 and 11 in Wellington, Hamilton and Auckland.
SLC announces largely unchanged squad for the T20I series
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee has backed the players and named largely an unchanged squad from their home series against the Kiwis back in November. Only Dunith Wellalage has been dropped from the side.
Charith Asalanka will be leading the side and will be supported by the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the batting department.
While the bowling duties will be handled by the likes of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, and Binura Fernando.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka squad will leave for New Zealand on Friday, December 20. Under the head coach Sanath Jayasuriya, the Lankan Team have been flying high in international cricket and they have delivered some exceptional performances. They would be aiming to continue their memorable run and win the series against New Zealand in their own backyard.
Sri Lanka T20I Squad for New Zealand series
Squad: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando
What happened in the last series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand?
In November, the Lankan Lions and the Black Caps locked horns with each other in a two-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series.
In the first T20I match in Dambulla, New Zealand posted 135 runs on the board, which Sri Lanka chased down in the 19th over to clinch a 4-wicket win and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The Kiwis bounced back in the second match and won the low-scoring thriller by 5 runs. New Zealand posted 108 runs on the board and then restricted the hosts to 103 runs.
As the action moved to the ODI series, the home team started their dominance. Sri Lanka won the first match by 45 runs (as per DLS method) after scoring 324/5 and restricting the Kiwis to 175/9.
Then, in the second match, New Zealand registered a score of 209, which they weren’t able to defend and allowed the hosts to win by 3 wickets. The third match ended in a no contest due to rain, hence, the home team won the ODI series 2-0.