da spicy bet： Two days ago New Zealand’s players were enduring sub zero temperatures inChristchurch
Charlie Austin16-Jul-2001Two days ago New Zealand’s players were enduring sub zero temperatures inChristchurch. Today they looked at home in the sticky heat of Colombo, asthey effortlessly overcame a young Sri Lanka A side in their one and onlywarm-up game.Indeed, as practice matches go, this was about as good as it gets. Thecloudy skies protected the players from the harsh rays of the sun, thebatsmen made excellent use of a fine batting wicket, and all the bowlers hada decent chance to find some rhythm. The Sri Lankans even acquiesced whenthe tourists asked to play a 12-a-side game.Perhaps they would have preferred a higher tempo game. Certainly thisencounter will bear little resemblance to the first game of the Coca ColaCup on Wednesday against Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, when you have so few daysto acclimitise, this was probably perfect.Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain was delighted: “The quality of theplay that we saw today was a bit of a surprise considering that we have hadsuch a long break. I think we had a very good day.”I had to keep retiring the batsmen which is always a good sign and wegenerally did the little things well. The bowlers were disciplined andbowled as a group,” he said.”It’s going to be a different kettle of fish on Wednesday though when thepressure is on,” he admitted. “We have to maintain or lift our performance,but if we stick to the quality of today then we should be there or thereabout.”New Zealand made full use of Sri Lanka’s generous offer to bat first andrattled up 293 for six in their 50 overs. Every batsman contributed and onlythree were dismissed properly, the others all retired to let their teammateshave a swing.Then their bowlers dismantled the Sri Lankan batting with surprising ease,bowling them out for 128 in 36.5 overs. This was by no means a poor battingline-up either; five of the players have played One-Day Internationals andthe others are regular members of the Sri Lanka A team.The tone of the day was set from the very first ball of the match, which waspunched to the square boundary by Matthew Sinclair. He went on to score animposing 64 from 70 balls and added 119 for the first wicket with NathanAstle, who scored a solid 48 from 66 balls.Sri Lanka then enjoyed their best period of the game. Leg spinner UpulChandana caught and bowled Astle and, with off spinner Thilan Samaraweeraalso bowling economically, the New Zealand batsmen were held in check for ashort while.Eventually the dismissal of Fleming, who scored 22 from 35 balls, raised thetempo of the innings again. Craig McMillan decided enough was enough andpromptly smashed Muthumuldalige Pushpakumara for 21 in an over. He broughtup his fifty with a six off 51 balls and retired at the end of the over.Both Lou Vincent (26*) and Chris Harris (28*) then played a couple ofrun-a-ball cameos before making way for Dion Nash and Adam Parore in theclosing overs.The Kiwi opening bowlers wasted no time in putting the Sri Lankan’s underpressure and by the fourth over the home side were already 11 for two.Upeka Fernando, batting with a runner, threatened a bruising innings, buthaving cracked consecutive boundaries off Darryl Tuffey, he flashed wildlyand was caught at slip by the skipper.Kyle Mills was the pick of the seamers, conceding just eight runs from hisfive over opening spell. He grabbed two wickets too: Michael Vandort who hetrapped lbw and Tillakaratne Dilshan caught at mid on.With Sri Lanka on 39 for four the game looked buried and althoughSamaraweera impressed with 41 from 90 balls the home side never threatenedthereafter.New Zealand will now practice tomorrow before their first game on Wednesdayagainst Sri Lanka, which will be played under lights.