By Srian Obeyesekere

Sri Lanka will be seeking to go one better from the 1-all drawn T20 series in their last home series against New Zealand in November when the two sides clash for the second time this year with Charith Asalanka’s team taking wing yesterday to Kiwi land for a 3-match series starting on December 28.

In that vein it is oppertune to once again echo the positive airing by the Lankan skipper that Sri Lanka is indeed going on all fours to reclaiming the glowing 2014 era of Sri Lankan cricket when the island nation was a major world force in the biff bang game.

The 27-year old Asalanka certainly derives leadership mettle since leading the national youth emerging
team accentuated by a mercurial batting approach to run making. The growing experience he packs as a leader having been at the center of national youth teams is indeed a harmonizing effective blend to taking that dream forward.

Of course, the behind the scene driving force of home grown Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya is indeed a huge gelling element the former Sri Lanka iconic batsman is inculcating to the team from his characteristics explosive Master Blaster verve in shaping Sri Lanka Cricket to winning ways which he has pleasingly achieved in a short period in the saddle.

The series will commence with the first two T20s to be played in Mount Maunganui, while the final match will be hosted in Nelson.

Sri Lanka Squad for T20I series in New Zealand
Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka T20I Series Schedule
1st T20I: December 28, Mount Maunganui – 11:45 AM IST
2nd T20I: December 30, Mount Maunganui – 11:45 AM IST
3rd T20I: January 2, Nelson – 5:45 AM IST