KEY POINTS:
Sri Lanka will use two test matches and a one-day series against New Zealand to build confidence and momentum ahead of next year's cricket World Cup, coach Tom Moody said yesterday.
Speaking shortly after the Sri Lankan squad arrived for their seven-week tour of New Zealand, Moody said he had brought a good blend of players with him.
Sri Lanka begin the tour with a warm-up match against Otago starting in Dunedin on Thursday, and will play two tests in Christchurch and Wellington, two Twenty20 matches and five one-dayers.
Moody acknowledged that Sri Lanka had toured New Zealand quite frequently in recent years and a number of players had gained experience of conditions here.
He said he was very comfortable with his squad, which he described as a blend of experience and youth.
"We've got a few young players also that have made their way in the side over the past 12 months and established themselves," Moody said.
"So we're coming here feeling comfortable and confident."
Sri Lanka have included uncapped Chamara Silva and Akalanka Ganegama in their 14-man test squad.
Middle order batsman Silva has played 10 one-day internationals and seamer Ganegama four, but both have yet to play in a test.
Ganegama will be replaced by Ruchira Perera for the one-day series.
After two recent test wins over South Africa "we'd like to continue that positive momentum down here in New Zealand", he said.
"We know it's going to be a tough challenge away from home, but the guys are looking forward to [it].
"I consider New Zealand a good one-day side and to have five one-dayers and a couple of Twenty20 matches against a good one-day side is excellent practice and development for us going forward towards the World Cup.
"But obviously we've got the first hurdle to cross, which is the test matches, which we're looking forward to."
Moody said foul weather had spoilt the start to the Sri Lankan domestic season, which had been delayed about three weeks, but his side had had plenty of practice.
"We've had a good rest, but we've also had a good opportunity to work on individual, specific things.
"We just haven't had the match practice we'd have liked coming into our first match on Thursday."
Mahela Jayawardene, already named captain of both the test and one-day squads, said the Sri Lankans were expecting pitches offering more bounce and seam than they experienced at home.
"You have to take challenges ... and perform outside Sri Lanka," he said. "We've been doing that pretty consistently and hopefully we'll continue to do that."
- NZPA
