DUBAI, August 16, 2009: New Zealand go into their first test outing since April against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, August 18 at the P Sara Oval in Colombo with confidence following their good workout with the ball and bat in the three-day warm-up game against a Sri Lanka Development XI in Colombo over the weekend. New Zealand is scheduled to play two test matches and two T20s in their 40-day tour of Sri Lanka that culminates next month with a three-nation one-day series that also involves India.
Apart from the frist day of the first Test match which would be shown live on ART Prime sports, the exciting action of the NZ-Sri Lanka Test Series and the T20s will be broadcast live on Ten Sports for Pehla Gold, Silver and Firstnet premium subscribers, according to an announcement from Arab Digital Distribution (ADD), the largest pay television platform management company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The second test begins on Wednesday, August 26 at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo, while the two T20 matches will be played on the evening of Wednesday, September 2 and Friday, September 4 respectively, both at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Making the announcement, Mr. Alwyn Rodrigues, Senior Regional Manager – Marketing & Business Development, ADD said, “ We should be in for some exciting cricketing action with the Lankans flush with confidence from their recent triumphant showing against world T20 champions Pakistan in their recently concluded Test and one-day series.” “We’ve had a busy schedule of sports broadcasts so far this month, with cricket following up on the mixed platter of international football action from across three continents. We always strive to bring the best of sporting action to our viewers across the MENA region, which is truly a melting pot of sports enthusiasts.” he added.
Sri Lanka goes into the Test series strengthened by the return of ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who missed the action in the Tests against Pakistan with a torn tendon. Kumar Sangakkara and his men, fresh from their 2-0 victory in the Test series, with one Test drawn, and their 2-1 victory in the one-day series against Pakistan, will be seeking to extend their good run against the inexperienced Kiwis, most of whom haven’t seen any Test action, although there are the likes of Brendon McCullum, Jesse Ryder and Ross Taylor to shore up their batting line-up.
Mr. Peter Hutton, COO, Taj Television said, “New Zealand tour to Sri Lanka is a prelude to the upcoming Tri Series, involving India. With Sri Lanka’s credible performance against Pakistan, we are sure viewers are in for a treat with this series. We are very glad to associate with ADD to bring the T20’s and Test matches between Sri Lanka & New Zealand series LIVE to serve fervent cricket fans in the Middle East.” |