One and only T20 abandoned:

Exercise in futility marred by rain

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting

Absurd is the best way to describe the one and only Twenty20 game an exercise in futility between Sri Lanka and New Zealand which was abandoned because of rain at the Pallekele Stadium under lights, yesterday.

After a start, stop, start, stop game marred by rain, Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 74 for 7 in a game reduced to 14 overs and in reply were 6 for no loss in 2 overs when rains came down again to bury the game.

After the previous day’s rain on Monday, Tuesday dawned gloomy, but thankfully it did not rain and indications were that there would be play. Arriving on the ground an hour before play, it was heartening to see the covers on the ground removed.

Nuwan Kulasekara celebrates after taking the wicket of New Zealand’s opening batsman Tim Latham. Picture by Kamal Jayamanne

But with the captains Angelo Mathews and Ross Taylor readying to toss, it was frustration when a slight drizzle saw the ground staff hurrying on with the covers and covering the entire ground and a prompt start was out of the question.

The two teams could not have a net on Monday due to the consistent rain that fell and were looking forward to playing the match, weather permitting. But the drizzle became heavy and at the starting time 7 p.m. only the covers were on the ground.

With the covers coming off, it was encouraging to see the two teams back on the field warming up and it decided to start play at 7.45 p.m.and thankfully the overs would not be reduced and it will be a 20 overs a side game.

Skipper Angelo Mathews had a good start to his T20 career as captain, by spinning the coin and seeing it turn in his favour. With the wicket being kept covered for more than two days, there had to be moisture on it, and also with grass on it, it came has no surprise when Mathews asked Ross Taylor to take first strike.

The overcast conditions were ideal for seam bowling and Mathews and Nuwan Kulesekera were unplayable.The first man out was Tom Latham bowled by Kulesekera for 4 playing across the line.

Hard hitting Brendon McCallum from whom a big score was expected, scratched around for 10 deliveries and was out for one,skying a ball to be caught by Thisara Perera at mid on off Kulesekera.

Then Rob Nicol went LBW to Shamindra Eranga for 1, James Franklin tickled one off Thisara Perera to be caught behind by Kumar Sangakkara for 2 and Ross Taylor was the last man out giving Sangakkara his second catch off Perera for 4 and the Kiwis were 24 for 5 in 8.4 overs.Unable to probably watch this sorry batting display by the Kiwis, the heavens opened up and a heavy downpour saw the ground staff back at work and they had the covers on the ground.Play was stopped at 8.30 p.m.

The Kiwi batsmen found all four Lankan bowlers - Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulesekera, Shaminda Eranga and Thisara Perera difficult to negotiate.

Kulesekera had 2 for 6 in 2 overs, Perera 2 for 4 in 1.4 and Eranga one for 7 in 2. Although he went wicket less Mathews conceded only 4 runs in 3 overs.

After a break of 75 minutes during which time the covers were removed and the super soppers were used to dry the ground, play resumed at 9.45 p.m. and the game was reduced to 14 a - side. In the remaining 32 deliveries the Kiwis scored 46 runs losing the wickets of Bradley Watling for 8 caught by Dinesh Chandimal at fine leg off Akila Dhananjaya and Andrew Ellis caught by Lahiru Tirimanne at mid wicket off Dhananjaya for 16.Tim Southee came in and hit 4 fours off an over from Shamindrar Eranga to remain unbeaten on 21 and with him was Oram on 10.Dhananjaya had 2 for 9 in 2 overs. The Kiwis finally made 74 for 7 in 14 overs.