Sri Lanka looking for redemption to avoid series whitewash

Saturday, 11 January 2025 00:10 -     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka cricketers during a warm-up session ahead of today’s 3rd and final ODI 

  • Third and final ODI at Auckland today
  • Mohamed Shiraz included in 12

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka will be looking for redemption to avoid a 3-0 series sweep in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand when the third and final match is played at Eden Park, Auckland today.

Even if they do, it won’t be the first time it will happen. Sri Lanka has suffered the ignominy of being white-washed 3-0 in an ODI series in New Zealand on three previous occasions – in 1983 under the captaincy of Somachandra de Silva, 1991 under Arjuna Ranatunga and 2019 under Lasith Malinga.  

Having already conceded the series 2-0 after losing the first two games, Sri Lanka will need to pull their socks up and come up with a better batting display and try and stop New Zealand from running away with the series.

Sri Lanka’s problems have been their top order that has failed to deliver. In each of the first two matches, they have lost the first four wickets inside the first power play which has proved quite detrimental to the team posting a total good enough to challenge New Zealand.

In the first ODI they were 23-4 and in the second, 22-4. It has been an ongoing issue with the Lankan top order.

It has become a serious concern in the team dressing room where it has been spoken about and discussed at length. The players have realised the gravity of undergoing a whitewash and it is learnt that they have been discussing the issue amongst themselves. They have been told what to do and it’s up to them to perform in the middle and adopt a different approach which could lead to a win.

One of the cardinal sins Sri Lanka has been committing themselves is by not playing out their full quota of overs. In the first ODI they lasted 43.4 overs and in the second reduced to 37 overs a side were dismissed in 30.2 overs.

Losing the top four batsmen when you are going with only six specialist batters and one batting all-rounder is putting immense pressure on the lower order to come up with a competitive total, which they have been unable to do so far.

Even the bowling has not been up to the mark. There is no consistency to bowl one line, which is a basic thing for a bowler. But one of the challengers the bowlers are facing is the weather, which was windy and cold at Wellington and Hamilton.

Auckland has been sunny the past two days and Sri Lanka are hoping it will remain that way for the match as well. The wicket too compared to the previous two games where it was green, Auckland is totally white and flat.

Whereas Sri Lanka has been lacking consistency in all three departments, New Zealand has shown what super athletes they are, throwing themselves on the field and pulling off spectacular catches, bowling to one side of the wicket and the batsmen cashing in on the inconsistent bowling lines. There is a marked difference between the two sides on fitness as far as one could see.

Sri Lanka have picked a squad of 12 players for today’s game adding the name of fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz to the 11 who played in the second ODI. 

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