The second ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand scheduled to be played yesterday at Christchurch was washed out and was called off at 4.30pm (New Zealand time).

Sri Lanka will play their third and final ODI against New Zealand on March 31 at Hamilton and this is going to be very vital for Sri Lanka to get a chance for World Cup direct qualification if they win it.

if South Africas two ODIs against Netherlands will be washed out the third and final ODI Sri Lanka must win to have a chance to get world Cup direct qualification.

When Daily News contacted Sri Lankan cricket team manager Mahinda Halangoda said Sri Lanka team is disappointed about the second one day as it was called off but that is cricket we can’t control the weather and looking forward to play third ODI. Today Sri Lanka team is expected to fly to Auckland and will travel by bus from Auckland to Hamilton which is a 90 minutes journey.

Meanwhile two specialist T 20 players Kusal Janith Perera and newcomer Lasith Croospulle joined the team yesterday focused on three T20 match series which will commence on April 3 at Auckland followed by next two matches on April 5 and 8.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka team who were thrashed by New Zealand (by 198 runs) received ICC punishment when ICC fined twenty precent match fee as they maintained slow over rate of the match .

Sri Lanka used three fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka and Chamika Karunarathna and skipper Dasun Shanaka himself was bowled as paceman while skipper couldn’t maintain the game with slight delay and International commentators pointed out this mistake during the first one day at Auckland.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan team and Management are seriously discussing about their batting failure at the first one dayer. Sri Lanka cricket official pointed out SLC sent extra batting specialised coach Thilina Kandamby to focus on one day matches and T 20 ‘ s. Actually we have planned to get Kandamby as batting coach for white ball format in future and this time he can get good exposure Kandamby recently did well as a coach. at white ball format and under his guidance Jaffna won LPL three in a row and his experience could be of immense benefit

We have sent back National spin coach Piyal Wijethunga after the two test match series and now he is getting ready for Ireland test match series with the test players.

SLC has good plan to groom local coaches for National duty. The most disappointing fact is when we get more foreign coaches without giving a chance for local coaches the same crowd blames the SLC for.geting service from consultant coach Mahela Jayawardena always continued but Mahela no need to stay with the team always and he has good rapport with our coaches and teams.

Our intention is very clear to develop and promote cricket and looking forward to do well added a senior official of SLC.