New Zealand confident ODI loss to Sri Lanka is a one-off

NELSON, New Zealand: With Sri Lanka apparently no longer on the rack, the Black Caps will be hoping Brendon McCullum comfortably climbs off the the treatment table before New Zealand’s second opportunity to wrap up their One-day International (ODI) series gets underway here on Saturday (today).

 

McCullum’s recovery from his latest back issue took on even more importance after he was limited to spectating and commentary duties during Sri Lanka’s commanding eight-wicket win at Saxton Oval on New Year’s Eve.

The ease of Sri Lanka’s win after two embarrassing defeats in Christchurch provided irritating viewing for the Black Caps captain as his farewell tour went off track for the first time under the guidance of his successor Kane Williamson.

A more measured, methodical Williamson was unable to halt Sri Lanka’s new-found momentum with either bat, ball or field placements as the rank outsiders ended New Zealand record sequence of 12 ODI wins on home ground with a victory to keep the series alive.

McCullum was scheduled for more physio on New Year’s Day and will have a final fitness test shortly before the toss where, for once, the fact he throws the coin outweighs whether he is successful or not.

There is more encouraging news for Latham’s Canterbury team-mate Matt Henry, with the fast bowler rejoining the squad on Friday to replace Tim Southee, who departed hours earlier for a more comprehensive assessment of his sore left foot.

Henry, who was originally designated the Christchurch double header, has only been named for Saturday’s game but could carry on to Tuesday’s finale in Mt Maunganui if Southee doesn’t recover.

The right armer took eight wickets at Hagley Oval at 10.25 but could not convince coach Mike Hesson and selector Gavin Larsen to deviate from their pre-series decision to only use him for two games while Southee had a break.

An unlucky Henry’s demotion looked even more debatable on New Year’s Eve as Danushka Gunathilaka and Tillakaratne Dilshan avenged their bowlers’ treatment in Christchurch by piling on 98 runs in 12.4 overs — the hastily built foundation of a solid run chase.

Adam Milne recorded the third highest economy rate (8.33) of his 27-game career, meaning he could be the quick to miss out if a pitch inspection suggests the slow bowlers will gain more purchase second time around.

Left-arm spinner and allrounder Mitchell Santner is already locked in while Ish Sodhi might add to his three overs of leg breaks he delivered at the tail of Sri Lanka’s second capitulation at Hagley Oval.

“It’s starting to turn a bit so spinners might get more of a crack,” said Santner, who thought a score of 300 would be difficult to run down.

The Black Caps were 20-odd runs shy of that mark on New Year’s Eve so an improved batting effort is among the priorities as they aim to start 2016 on a successful note.

Williamson was confident the team would bounce back, believing Sri Lanka’s significant improvement could be stymied by minor adjustments.

“On the scoreboard it was somewhat one-sided but we know we only need to make just small adjustments to be better in the next one,” he said.

Williamson figured 277 would be a challenging total to chase but unlike Christchurch, where Sri Lanka slumped to 27-5 and 56-5 when batting first, the Black Caps attack was unable to make inroads or keep the runs in check.

“The ways the boys scrapped to a pretty competitive total was a good effort. To make that total even better we had to bowl very well in that first 10 and we didn’t. We’ll all admit we were off the mark there.”

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be hoping the Met Service’s prediction is also inaccurate after rain is expected throughout game day. Two days ago that forecast would have been welcomed by the tourists — now it would dampen enthusiasm.