Sri Lanka take another comprehensive hammering from second string New Zealand in one dayers. Series loss highlights batting issues that need urgent address. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO
A win in the lost T20 series to start the year made little difference to Sri Lanka’s ongoing batting woes as they crashed to another embarrassing series defeat to New Zealand’s second string in Dunedin.
While Sri Lanka has no answer to New Zealand’s emerging talent, the worrying inconsistency of Sri Lanka’s batting remains unresolved with no foreseeable remedy. This is their main reason for why they sit in pathetic quandary giving their fans no joy.
Frustrating as it is, the question lies with the game’s coaching staff and administrators who appear nonplussed much like the selected squad who have little or no idea on how to formulate a winning game plan.The batting coaches shoulder much of this responsibility.
There’s no lack of talent in Sri Lanka cricket, but horses for courses and experience among the batters, may hold the key to their inability to address what’s ahead.
Another dead rubber left before they return home to face Australia in the Test series in Galle, and unless the different composition of the team will fare better, 2025 could be less than flattering for a struggling cricket nation that shows only glimpses of potential.
Australia, with their place in the World Test Championship sealed for a showdown against South Africa at Lords in England, have opted to send a second string side under former skipper Steve Smith who are yet capable of turning tables on Sri Lanka at a ground they have struggled previously.
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A series win for Sri Lanka will give them a morale boost and hope for a turnaround in their fortunes going forward. On current form it’s something hard to envisage.
A rain curtailed second game in Dunedin saw New Zealand rattle up 255 for 9 in 37 overs.
Maheesh Theekshana shone like a beacon for Sri Lanka with a bag of four wickets for 44 including a hat-trick.
But Sri Lanka’s batters fell in the usual flop when needed, and at 4 for 22 soon had them crashing to the inevitable embarrassment of being bowled out for 142 in 30.2 overs and a 113 run loss. Only Kamindu Mendis with a fluent 64 off 66 balls, had a reasonable control of New Zealand’s raw but effective bowlers.
Sri Lanka’s half cocked coaching staff need an urgent shot in the arm.
