New Zealand in Sri Lanka 2013-14

[StriKe]

Shaminda Eranga, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, has been left out of the squad for the first two ODIs against New Zealand later this month. Newcomer Ashan Priyanjan, the 24-year-old middle-order batsman, and oppener Dimuth Karunaratne, who played the last of his two ODIs in 2011, have both been included in the 16-man squad. Eranga has had moderate success in ODIs so far, averaging 27.93 in 13 matches, and his results in 2013, and in the recent first-class tournament, do not suggest a serious dip in form. He struggles to make the XI in home ODIs when Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Thisara Perera are fit, but has in the past been preferred to Suranga Lakmal, who has been named in this squad. Karunaratne and Priyanjan enter the side through the force of their List A performances in 2013. Test opener Karunaratne hit 271 runs at an average of 90.33 in a recent three-match series against New Zealand A, while Priyanjan averaged 44. Karunaratne's presence in the squad will intensify competition for the second openers' position, with Kusal Perera's international form having cooled since his arrival at the top level. Upul Tharanga's inconsistency has seen him left out. A busy right-hander who plays for Ports Authority Cricket Club, Priyanjan has been a regular A team player, particularly since Sanath Jayasuriya became chief selector in 2013. Having arrived at the professional level with plaudits from junior cricket, Priyanjan has earned a reputation for improving steadily - notably with the seam-bowling that has seen him used increasingly as an allrounder. Spin bowlers Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake and Ajantha Mendis have all been named in the squad, having all also played against South Africa in the team's last ODI series. Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne will likely comprise the middle order, alongside captain Angelo Mathews. Both ODIs will be played in Hambantota, with one more to follow, in Dambulla. A two-match Twenty20 series is also scheduled.

Kyle Mills, the New Zealand fast bowler, will lead the side in the limited-overs matches against Sri Lanka later this month. Mills was named captain after Kane Williamson had to fly home from the ongoing Bangladesh tour with a fractured thumb. Williamson himself had been set to lead the side only because regular captain Brendon McCullum and senior batsman Ross Taylor were asked to skip the Sri Lanka series and instead prepare for the home Tests against West Indies later this year. Mills, who has played 154 ODIs and is New Zealand's second-highest wicket-taker in the format, will get to captain New Zealand for the first time. One of Mills' first tasks as captain would be to repair a wobbling batting that fell short of the target in both their run-chases against Bangladesh this week to lose the series. On their previous visit to Sri Lanka, New Zealand were defeated 3-0, and without McCullum, Taylor and Williamson in their ranks, Mills and New Zealand can expect another difficult outing. Other changes in the squad include a recall for batting allrounder Rob Nicol, who last played an ODI in January, and for quick bowler Andrew Ellis, who has been called up after a back injury to Ian Butler. "It's disappointing that Ian's back didn't settle in time for the Sri Lanka tour," New Zealand's selection chief, Bruce Edgar, said. "We'll also bring in Otago's Neil Broom for the final ODI and the two Twenty20s as additional cover."| New Zealand will play three ODIs against Sri Lanka, starting with the opener in Hambantota on November 10.

Sri Lanka Squad

Squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Ajantha Mendis, Ashan Priyanjan

New Zealand Squad

Squad Kyle Mills (capt), Corey Anderson, Anton Devcich, Grant Elliott, Andrew Ellis, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Rob Nicol, Luke Ronchi, Hamish Rutherford, Neil Broom(for final ODI and T20s)

[maniac]

No legspinner for NZL in those conditions :ohmy:

[broken_wings]

Let them get away from Banglawash first then they can think of SL tour. :hysterical:

[Scarves]

Where's the tests?

[adi B]

^they played out a 1-1 draw last year in lanka

[Square Drive]

:woot: Series of the year!

[Number]

BD >> sl in tests.

[GoldenSun]

why didn't they schedule some test matches? I would scrap the T20I's

[great siri]

the most boring series of the decade.wtf????nz just came last year and played a series in lanka andd that was their 3rd or 4th consecutive visit to lanka to play a series.why srilanka not going to nz????/i will intentionally cut my cable connection for this month only to avoid this series.

[Scarves]

^they played out a 1-1 draw last year in lanka

:hysterical: When Kyle Mills is leading your team you are in trouble.