Vaas, Malinga will strengthen Lanka's chances

Elmo Rodrigopulle from New Zealand

CRICKET: The Sri Lankans who gifted the third one-day international to New Zealand by dropping Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga will not find it easy to rally and beat the Blackcaps when they meet in the 4th game at Eden Park, today.

It was poor thinking by the selectors to leave out Vaas and Malinga. In the hard grind of the game, nothing can be taken for granted. Had the pacemen played, victory would have been easy in coming for the Lankans, as the closeness of the finish showed.

The selectors are sure to rue the decision, and plant in both players for this game which Sri Lanka must win to keep their chances and the series alive.

The Blackcaps, now that they are ahead would be striving to remain that way, pocket this game too and wrap up the series. In this endeavour regular skipper Stephen Fleming would make his first appearance after missing the first three after serving their rotation policy.

There is no doubt that the Lankans are the better squad. Man to man the Lankans are way ahead. What they are lacking in is commitment. True the weather in the second and third games were not to their liking. But that is no excuse. They had their chances, but let it slip by not putting the Kiwis under more pressure.

The weather here at the time of writing is warm with the sun out which should be to the liking of the Lankans. It is hoped that a wicket fit for this type of game and sporty to both teams would be prepared. Preparing wickets that are favourable to the home team is unacceptable If and when this happens it takes away the game as a contest.