Srilanka to take on New Zealand In 2nd ODI of Triseries

Sri Lanka open their tri-series campaign against a buoyant New Zealand side on Friday that embarrassed India in the series opener.

The Ross Taylor-led New Zealand came into the tournament as outsiders but raised many eyebrows by thrashing red-hot favourites India by 200 runs. The Kiwis can't be in a happier frame of mind having done most things right on Tuesday. The only visible concern seems to be the opening slots, where Ingram and Guptill looked completely out of sorts against the moving ball.The Black Caps also would want to set right their mistake of getting bowled out inside the 50 overs. Ideally, either Ross Taylor or Scott Styris should have carried on but with them gone and all-rounders Jacob Oram and Grant Eillott failing as well, things went woefully wrong for the Kiwis.Kane Williamson has brought in reputation that won't allow Taylor to drop him after just one match, even though he failed to trouble the scorers on his debut. One change that might be seen is wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins being replaced by BJ Watling but the Kiwi skipper would think twice before tinkering with a winning combo.So unless a last-minute unfortunate injury, New Zealand would like to give those who didn't perform on Tuesday a second chance against Sri Lanka on Friday.One-day specialists Upul Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera and Nuwan Kulasekara are set to don the blue and yellow for Sri Lanka. The islanders quite clearly have a better batting lineup but the tricky Dambulla conditions can test the best in the business, as was on view the other day.Suraj Randiv essentially becomes an automatic choice in the absence of Muralitharan, especially owing to his antics in the Test series. Having said that, Sangakkara may have to choose between Randiv and Ajantha Mendis as playing two spinners may be a luxury under seaming and swinging conditions. In such case, Randiv may get the nod along with a four-pronged pace attack of Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Fernando and Angelo Mathews.If the match against India was anything to go by, toss may well again be of monumental importance, with both captains wanting to bat first.