SL-New Zealand tour dates announced

By Madushka Balasuriya

Sri Lanka will play two Tests, three ODIs, and a solitary T20I in New Zealand over the festive period, Sri Lanka Cricket has announced. 

The team depart for New Zealand on 4 December, and have so far scheduled just the one warm-up match from 8-10 December; though with the first Test due to start on 15 December, there may be time to fit in another tune-up game. The teams will then have a week off before the second Test on Boxing Day in Christchurch from 26-30 December.

The ODI series will begin in the New Year with two day/night affairs at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on 3 and 5 January, before the action heads to the Saxton Oval in Nelson for the final game on 8 January. The sole T20I will be held in Auckland on 11 January.

This tour will be the start of a hectic period for the Sri Lankans prior to the World Cup in England in May, with the team set to tour Australia immediately after. They have historically fared poorly in New Zealand, winning just the solitary Test and ODI series in 18 attempts; the last time they toured they lost the Test series 2-0 and the ODI leg 3-1.