Can Sri Lanka level series against the black caps? The answer is blowing in the wind

If you were to take a pole and try to get an answer, sadly, many would state it depends on what type of team Sri Lanka will turn up with in this unpredictable format.

In the last 5 outings in this format, New Zealand Sri Lanka has won a dreadful one game only

The Kiwis are more disciplined whilst Sri Lanka is known to take things for granted when in control.

The last T 20 endorses my views as the visitors won the battle in the first half and were sitting ducks in the second half.

The top orders of Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Janith Perera were guilty of playing audacious strokes that even a schoolboy cricketer will be ashamed of. Bhanuka Rajapaksa got an unplayable yorker while Hasaranga was run out with run rate pressure mainly due to the circumstances of the match.

The big question is Matheesha Pathirana. By the looks of what we all saw yesterday, he is an overrated bowler, and this was proved far beyond doubt by both Darryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

He conceeded 60 runs with 3 no balls. Hence, the think tank has no choice but to pursue with him due to limited options.

The cricket Sri Lanka displayed on the day was the backyard effort played at a kiddies’ birthday party .

To compete at this level, consistency, wisdom , and game awareness is a prerequisite.

Learn or depart is the step that must be taken by the selectors to ensure mistakes of this nature we witnessed yesterday is not repeated.

New Zealand will come out as favourites, knowing the opposition is big-time chokers is what the black caps will know, hence, their confidence level will be high.

Sri Lanka will have to prove that they are no chokers and can maintain the early advantage if given the opportunity to win games.

Who will win ? My caption on our headline has the answer.