(UTV|COLOMBO) – New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat Thursday in the first of three one-day cricket internationals against Sri Lanka.
Both teams are beginning in earnest their build-up to the ICC World Cup in England later this year. New Zealand has 12 one-day internationals during its domestic season to help its preparation.
Former World Cup champions Sri Lanka have dropped to eighth on world rankings and are hoping to recover some of their old form in the 50-over game.
“We haven’t been consistent,” captain Lasith Malinga said. “Now is the time to improve and go ahead and do our best for the team.”
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Tim Seifert, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Seekkuge Prasanna, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (capt), Nuwan Pradeep.
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