Eden Park will host the 3rd and final ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand tomorrow at Auckland local time at 6.30 am IST.
This game, sadly, is a dead rubber, and tickets are available in plenty. Sri Lanka has got all wires mixed up in their approach, and the body language seems to be transparent in the dressing room.
The think tank might consider Wellalage to bring in variety with his left arm spin since the bowling in the first two games was predictable, and the black caps enjoyed a free for all time at the wickets.
Batters have failed, mainly due to a lack of skill level to face quality seam, and the virus seems to have taken its toll from the top of the batters head to the soles of their feet.
Pathum Nissanka, who has an ambition of reaching the heights of the best batter in the world, is only gazing at the sky, having so much uncertainty in his foot movement against seam and swing which is the root cause of the virus spread to the rest of the batters.
Pathum has been the Sri Lankan cog in the wheel. Hence, if he fails, the flood gates open, and the rest follow suit.
Unless otherwise, all three departments improve by 100 percent, a whitewash is imminent because on home conditions New Zealand will want their share of wins in the record book.
In a no quarters asked, no quarters given scenario, the Kiwis we doubt will have a team change, but Sri Lanka must try the bench strength and look at what the future holds for their players in other conditions.
It was a breath of fresh air to see Kamindu Mendis strike form, but Janith Liyanage throws it away. I hope he will take note that coach Sanath Jayasuriya is a no-nonsense man, and Liyanage gets his thinking cap on and does not take his slot in the side for granted.
Wanindu Hasaranga is a great bowler, but to expect runs from his bat is foolish because his batting stance shows his intentions to the opposition in a clear-cut plan.
Middle order must click period.
Fielding has not lived up to the envisaged standards .
Bowling is too predictable.
New Zealand is enjoying the Sri Lankan folly. Based on the above observations, the visitors should take advantage of the underdogs tag by pulling that rabbit from under the hat.