SL-NZ prepare for T20 test

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Kandy

Sri Lanka will change gear and adapt to the T20 format when Lasith Malinga leads a strong Sri Lankan outfit against a visiting New Zealand team led by Tim Southee, in the first of three T20 matches at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, tomorrow.

The three encounters will be played on 1, 3 and 6 of September under lights, with Tim Southee captaining the side for the first time. Earlier, the first encounter, which was scheduled to be played at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, was shifted to Kandy due to renovation of the Colombo grounds seating. 

For the hosts, all eyes will be on local boy Niroshan Dickwella, who will be vice-captain of the side and will be hoping to build on his two half centuries during the recently concluded two-match Test series.

Janaka Pathirana will head the organizing for the three matches at the Pallekelle International Stadium, which is expected to fill out its 35,000 capacity. This ground hosted its first match in 2009.