The New Zealanders in Sri Lanka, 1997-98

New Zealand knew their seven-week tour of Sri Lanka was likely to be a severe test of their cricketing character. But the preparation of pitches ideally suited to the formidable Sri Lankan spin attack seemed to take them by surprise.

A youngish tour party left home talking up their chances. They were buoyant after destroying Zimbabwe at the end of the domestic season and believed the tough lessons learned in Australia before Christmas would stand them in good stead. Their confidence appeared well placed when they won the First Test, at the Premadasa Stadium, comfortably. However, the pitches for the other two Tests were simply below the standard expected. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming called the surface in Galle a dungheap. Sri Lanka won the series 2-1.

To their credit, Fleming and coach Steve Rixon refused to blame defeat on the pitches. Instead, they displayed growing maturity by blaming themselves for not adapting to the harsh conditions, and accepting the ploy as the right of the home team. Sri Lanka, though, must review the strategy if they wish to grow as a Test nation. Their captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, agreed the authorities should aim to encourage pace and spin alike. However, he believed that it could only happen once Sri Lanka had the fast bowlers to take advantage.

As it was, Sri Lanka did not miss injured left-arm fast bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa, and were content to direct their attack around the brilliant off-spinner, Muttiah Muralitharan, and a highly promising newcomer, left-arm spinner Niroshan Bandaratilleke. These two proved the dominant force: Muralitharan won the series award for his 19 wickets at less than 20, and Bandaratilleke, aged 23, hinted at a bright future with 16.

The New Zealand spinners, headed by 19-year-old slow left-armer Daniel Vettori, had their moments, but could not match their rivals' consistency. Vettori continued his cricketing education; in the Third Test, his best figures yet, six for 64, included his 50th wicket in only his 14th Test. He completed the series with 17 wickets. The 28-year-old off-spinner Paul Wiseman of Otago made pleasing progress after a shoulder injury and a questionable bowling action had held him back on his first overseas tour, to Zimbabwe in late 1997. He surprised the Sri Lankans in the First Test, his maiden appearance at this level, when he took seven wickets; thereafter the home team attacked him early on to unsettle his rhythm. They succeeded, although Wiseman learned a lot from the experience.

Most encouragingly for New Zealand, Fleming made strides both as the team's principal batsman and as captain. He topped the batting averages for both teams with 357 at 71.40, while his leadership abilities suggested he had a difficult job for as long as he wanted it. New Zealand also failed in the rain-hit triangular tournament with India. But while the players understandably grew frustrated, they lost neither their sense of humour nor their appreciation of the Sri Lankans' outstanding hospitality. They left for home with their tails between their legs but smiles on their faces.

NEW ZEALAND TOUR PARTY

S. P. Fleming ( Canterbury) (captain), N. J. Astle ( Canterbury), C. L. Cairns ( Canterbury), S. B. Doull ( Northern Districts), C. Z. Harris ( Canterbury), M. J. Horne ( Otago), C. D. McMillan ( Canterbury), D. J. Nash ( Northern Districts), S. B. O'Connor ( Otago), A. C. Parore ( Auckland), M. W. Priest ( Canterbury), C. M. Spearman ( Central Districts), D. L. Vettori ( Northern Districts), P. J. Wiseman ( Otago), B. A. Young ( Northern Districts).

Doull and O'Connor returned home injured. A. R. Tait ( Northern Districts) replaced O'Connor.

Manager: D. J. Graham. Coach: S. J. Rixon.

BATTING

BOWLING

At P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, Colombo, May 18, 19, 20. Drawn. Toss: New Zealanders. New Zealanders 274 ( C. M. Spearman 39, N. J. Astle 42, C. D. McMillan 34, A. C. Parore 53; M. R. C. N. Bandaratilleke four for 80) and 178 for five dec. ( N. J. Astle 32, C. D. McMillan 35, A. C. Parore 35 not out; M. R. C. N. Bandaratilleke three for 46); Sri Lankan Board XI 204 ( U. A. Fernando 36, D. P. M. D. Jayawardene 38, S. Ranatunga 39; D. L. Vettori three for 55, P. J. Wiseman five for 65) and 157 for five ( U. A. Fernando 37, D. P. M. D. Jayawardene 40).

At Kandy, May 22, 23, 25. Drawn. Toss: Sri Lankan Board XI. Sri Lankan Board XI 300 for nine dec. ( S. T. Jayasuriya 83, D. P. M. D. Jayawardene 67, R. P. Hewage 30, S. K. L. De Silva 32; M. W. Priest four for 90) and 82 for one ( S. I. Fernando 42 not out); New Zealanders 344 for nine dec. ( B. A. Young 32, M. J. Horne 92, C. D. McMillan 71, A. C. Parore 43, C. Z. Harris 42; C. M. Bandara three for 100, D. P. M. D. Jayawardene four for 29).

Match reports for

1st Test: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Colombo (RPS), May 27-31, 1998
Report | Scorecard

2nd Test: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Galle, Jun 3-7, 1998
Report | Scorecard

3rd Test: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Colombo (SSC), Jun 10-13, 1998
Report | Scorecard

2nd Match: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Colombo (RPS), Jun 21, 1998
Report | Scorecard

3rd Match: India v New Zealand at Colombo (RPS), Jun 23, 1998
Report | Scorecard

5th Match: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Galle, Jun 27, 1998
Scorecard

6th Match: India v New Zealand at Galle, Jun 29, 1998
Scorecard

8th Match: India v New Zealand at Colombo (SSC), Jul 3, 1998
Report | Scorecard

9th Match: Sri Lanka v New Zealand at Colombo (SSC), Jul 5, 1998
Report | Scorecard