Turning wickets and humid conditions a big challenge - Vettori

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Sri Lanka and New Zealand believe that spin will play a major role during their up coming home two Test series and the Triangular one day international series which begins later this month.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara noted that both teams are ready to face the challenge in the longer version of the game with India set to join in a Tri Series limited overs tournament later.

The Kiwis will start their tour with a three day warm up fixture against the Development Squad at the Colts Cricket Club ground in Havelock Park today followed by the second three day match at the NCC ground in Maitland Place beginning on August 12.

The opening Test match will commence on August 18 at the Galle International Stadium with the second Test scheduled to start on August 26 at the SSC ground in Maitland Place.

New Zealand will also play two Twenty20 Internationals against Sri Lanka on September 2 and 4 at the R. Premadasa Stadium followed by the Triangular one day series commencing on September 8. The three teams will play each other once and the two top teams will battle it out in the final with all matches to be worked off under lights at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori believe that the humid conditions and the slow turning wickets will be a major challenge for his team but is determined to make an impact in their very first tour since 2003.

The 30 year old left arm spinner said that his team is looking forward to the challenge of facing the ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis.

Vettori said that some of his players had the opportunity of facing Mendis during the recent ICC Twenty20 World Cup and also during the Indian Premier League held in South Africa.

Meanwhile Kumar Sangakkara said that his team will be keen to maintain the same momentum following their tremendous success against the Pakistan team in the Test series and the one day international series where they have taken an unbeatable 3 nil lead.

He expect that the batsmen in particular will soon learn from their earlier mistakes and bounce back to pile on the runs which they have failed to do so during the three Test series against Pakistan.

The New Zealand team:

Daniel Vettori (captain), Grant Elliot, Brendon McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Reece Young, Jeetan Patel, Lain O’Brien, Tim Macintosh, Chris Martin, Daniel Flynn, Martin Guptil, Craig Cumming, Shane Bond, Peter McGlashan, Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, Neil Broom and Gareth Hopkins.