In the rush of cricket being played worldwide, a series that seems lost for significance is New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka.
Getting underway with a Twenty20 on Tuesday, the tour has little attraction for the fans or enthusiasts. But that will not deter the teams from putting up a fight as both take the field with their own contrasting motives.
Sri Lanka have installed a new captain as part of their rebuilding strategy, knowing that the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara do not have many years left ahead of them. Angelo Mathews come in as the T20 skipper, and is touted to take over the reins in other formats as well in about six months’ time.
Defeated in the World T20 final at home, the Sri Lankan fans and team both are disappointed and heartbroken. But with that a matter of the past, it is a breed of new and young cricketers who vow to take the team to greater heights. Nuwan Kulasekara has been elevated to vice-captaincy while Dinesh Chandimal, Thissara Perera and Lahiru Thirimanne know that their time has arrived to step up and embrace complete responsibility.
Their rivals, New Zealand, spell a story of extended disappointments as their form and run is nothing that gives the fans anything to boast about. They are back in Sri Lanka less than a month after they were eliminated in the Super Eights after two defeats in Super Over finishes.
On paper, the team has always looked better but the results have never translated on to the field. Ross Taylor, the captain, is back in Sri Lanka after a stint with the Delhi Daredevils in the Champions League where he failed to attain much success. Jacob Oram had a good time in the Sri Lankan Premier League but could not replicate the performances in the World T20.
In a low profile contest, both teams have plenty to play for as the match begins at 7.00pm local time.