Chance for youngsters to shine as Sri Lanka, New Zealand get T20I series underway

Sri Lanka have left out some big names – Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera. Dhananjaya de Silva and Suranga Lakmal – from the squad which will be led by Malinga.

Having drawn the two-match Test series 1-1, Sri Lanka and New Zealand will now face each other in the three-match Twenty20 international series, the first of which will be played on Sunday.

While New Zealand missed out on their maiden World Cup title in July this year, the team will now be setting their sights on another World Cup – 2020 ICC World T20 World Cup – as they play their first limited-overs game after the fifty-overs World Cup at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Although Kane Williamson won’t be around to lead the side along with Trent Boult, this is a chance for the youngsters in the New Zealand set up to stake claim into the team. Barring Tim Southee, who will be leading the side, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor, the Blackcaps have a largely inexperienced squad at their disposal.

However, this is an opportunity for the likes of Tim Seifert, Todd Astle, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Seth Rance and others to put up their hand and put themselves in contention to make it to the New Zealand’s T20 World Cup squad.

READ: Most sixes in Tests: Tim Southee has more than Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers, Ian Botham & Shahid Afridi

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have left out some big names – Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera. Dhananjaya de Silva and Suranga Lakmal – from the squad which will be led by Lasith Malinga, who recently retired from ODIs.

However, like New Zealand, the absence of big names is a chance for the others to cash in on the opportunity as Sri Lanka aim to make a winning start to the series.

While Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, and Lahiru Madushanka have made it to the squad, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera, and Lahiru Kumara have also made a comeback.

Match details

What: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st T20I

When: Sunday, September 1, 2019

Where: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Time: 7 PM (IST)

On TV: SONY network

Live streaming: SONY LIV

Weather: Mostly cloudy with chances of thunderstorm. The maximum temperature will be 28.

You can also follow LIVE coverage of the match on CricketCountry (Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 1st T20I: Scorecard)

Team news

Sri Lanka

Although Akila Dananjaya is named in the squad, the spinner was recently reported for his bowling action. While for now, he can continue to bowl, the home team, like they did during the second Test of the series, may decide not to include him in the playing XI.

Probable XI: Kusal Perera (wicketkeeper), Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Menids, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga (captain), Lakshan Sandakan

New Zealand

Lockie Ferguson was a real threat with his pace during the World Cup and the right-arm pacer, along side skipper Southee, will be key to New Zealand’s pace-bowling attack, with Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi expected to lead the spin-bowling attack.

Probable XI: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Tom Bruce, Ross Taylor, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (captain), Lockie Ferguson

Squads:

Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga (captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Janith Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka

New Zealand: Tim Southee (capt), Todd Astle, Tom Bruce, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Seth Rance, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor