Sri Lankans struggle on seamers’ day

Monday, 22 December 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ESPNCricinfo: Sri Lankans were reduced to 173 for 9 on their first day of competitive cricket in New Zealand, but had struck back through their own seamers before the close of play, in the two-day warm-up encounter in Queenstown. Lahiru Thirimanne top-scored for the visitors, hitting 49 with four fours and a six from the no. 4 spot vacated by Mahela Jayawardene’s retiremen

t. Although Sri Lankans played batsmen down to no. 8 in the 12-a-side match (11 batting and bowling), no other batsman breached 25. Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene came closest with his 24. Most others made it to double figures, but Kumar Sangakkara and Angelo Mathews - Sri Lanka’s two form batsmen of the year - contributed only a run between them. Canterbury seamer Ben McCord inflicted most damage after Sri Lankans had chosen to bat, taking 3 for 30 from his 15 overs, as seamers also accounted for three other scalps. Sri Lankans declared their innings after 59 overs, before Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal made quick inroads into the opposition. Eranga bowled two batsmen and Lakmal had one caught behind to leave the New Zealand Chairman’s XI at 26 for 3 at stumps. Offspinners Dilruwan Perera and Tharindu Kaushal are playing this match. Both are expected to bowl on Monday, and their performance may determine who plays against New Zealand on Boxing Day. Eranga and Lakmal are likely to comprise the core of the pace attack, if they remain fit, while Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep may be competing for the third seamer’s position. Chief Scores: New Zealand Chairman’s XI 26 for 3 (Eranga 2-14) trail Sri Lankans 173 for 9 dec (Thirimanne 49, McCord 3-30) by 147 runs

McCullum to revert to middle order in Sri Lanka series

Reuters: New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will drop back down the order for the test series against Sri Lanka despite scoring a double century as an opener against Pakistan last month. McCullum had only opened the innings in the UAE as a stop-gap measure, chairman of selectors Bruce Edgar said on Sunday, and would revert to his middle order position for the first test in Christchurch that starts on 26 December. “This is another series, in different conditions and against a completely different opponent,” Edgar said in a statement in naming the test squad. “In these circumstances, we feel Brendon’s better suited to, and offers more value, down the order.” Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham will likely open the innings at Hagley Oval, though the recalled Dean Brownlie could also contend for the position after stating previously he had a preference to bat at the top of the order. Off-spinner Mark Craig was also named as the sole slow bowler for the match after some strong performances against Pakistan in tandem with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who has dropped out of the 13-man squad. All-rounder Corey Anderson was also not considered due to a groin injury he sustained during the one-day series against Pakistan.