New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first on Saturday in the first of two Twenty20 matcagainst Sri Lanka on Saturday at Dambulla.
The tourists handed young wicketkeeper-batsman Mitchell Hay, 24, his international debut. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was left out due to calf stiffness.
“We have got a lot of white ball cricket coming up and we need to build for that,” Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner said.
“Sri Lanka are very good at home and they showed that against the West Indies recently... It’s going to be a tough series and challenging conditions.”
With clear skies after rain washed out Friday’s practice, Sri Lanka opted for a spin-heavy attack.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana will lead the bowling attack along with two seamers.
“We would have batted first too,” Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka said.
“We have been very good in recent months. But that’s in the past,” he added.
“We would like to back our spinners. We believe the wicket will take turn and we will depend on them.”
SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
NEW ZEALAND: Will Young, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay (wk), Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (c), Ish Sodhi, Zakary, Foulkes, Jacob Duffy
Source: AFP
