PALLEKELE (Sri Lanka), Oct 31: It’s time New Zealand reversed their bad run in One-day Internationals, captain Ross Taylor said as they prepare to take on Sri Lanka in the opening game of their five-match series here on Thursday.

The Black Caps lost four of five matches of their last series against West Indies in July, and before that were swept at home by South Africa 3-0 at the start of the year. “We are not looking too far ahead, tomorrow’s game is an important one,” Taylor said on Wednesday.

Their confidence wasn’t boosted by the opening tour match on Tuesday, when New Zealand slumped to 74-7 in 14 overs before the one-off Twenty20 International was washed out, also at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The pitch has been covered for several days because of rain, and it is expected to retain moisture and assist seam bowlers with sharp movement, as exploited by Sri Lankan seamers on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and fast bowler Lasith Malinga return after being rested for the Twenty20 International. Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath has also been called up while off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake and batsman Dilshan Munaweera, who were part of the Twenty20 squad, have been excluded.

Sri Lanka have also included 19-year-old off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal. Spinner Akila Dananjaya, who made his international debut without any first-class experience in the World Twenty20, is likely to make his ODI debut on Thursday.

Jayawardene said the New Zealand series is good preparation for a tough season ahead, including a daunting tour of Australia.

New Zealand have retained the same squad as the Twenty20.

Teams (from): SRI LANKA: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Akila Dananjaya, Tharindu Kaushal.

NEW ZEALAND: Ross Taylor (captain), Trent Boult, Andrew Ellis, James Franklin, Ronnie Hira, Tom Latham, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, Rob Nicol, Jacob Oram, Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

Umpires: Ranmore Martinesz (Sri Lanka) and Ian Gould (England).

TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge (Sri Lanka).

Match referee: Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe).—AP