by Rex Clementine

Traveling to New Zealand feels like a journey to the ends of the earth. First, there’s the four-hour flight to Singapore, and from there, another ten hours to Auckland or Christchurch. But once you land, the long haul feels worth its weight in gold – New Zealand is an absolute gem, especially during Christmas.

The moment you step out of the airport and take that first breath, the air hits you like a tonic – fresh, crisp, and rejuvenating. The landscape is a symphony of green, and the people are as warm and welcoming as an open hearth on a chilly day. For a nation spanning over 260,000 square kilometers but housing just five million people, it’s nothing short of extraordinary what they’ve achieved on the global stage, especially with their beloved All Blacks.

New Zealand is a land of two islands, each with its own charm. The North Island, home to the bulk of the population, boasts bustling cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton. The South Island, on the other hand, is a visual feast – think scenic vistas straight out of a travel brochure – with cities like Christchurch, Dunedin, and the adventure capital, Queenstown.

For Sri Lankans, New Zealand holds a treasure trove of cricketing memories. None shine brighter than Aravinda de Silva’s majestic 267 in 1991 – his career-best innings, still celebrated to this day. His sister, Araliya, lived in New Zealand back then, and Aravinda fondly recalled how she’d whip up mouthwatering meals whenever he visited. However, her strict advice to return early to the team hotel often left him restless. One day, he broke free, stayed out late, and the very next day, he unleashed his full wrath on the Kiwis. That knock remains the highest score by an overseas player in Wellington – a testament to Aravinda’s maverick spirit. There won’t be another like him. Not in our lifetime.

New Zealand has been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lanka in more ways than one. It was here, in 1995, that Sri Lanka notched up their first-ever Test win against the Kiwis, a landmark moment in the island’s cricketing history.

Fast forward to 2024, and all eyes are on young Matheesha Pathirana, who looks poised to write his own chapter in this storied rivalry. New Zealand has always been kind to sling-arm pacers; it was here that Lasith Malinga announced himself to the world, leaving Kiwi batsmen – and umpires – scrambling for answers. The umpires even had to take a step back on the request of the batsmen for they had issues sighting the ball. Such was the shock factor of Malinga’s whippy, hard-to-pick action.

While many have tried to mimic Malinga, few – if any – have come close to matching his success. Pathirana, however, is cut from a different cloth. His blistering pace is what sets him apart from the dime-a-dozen Malinga copycats.

Although Pathirana has been in the spotlight for two years, his outings have mostly been limited to subcontinental conditions or slower wickets in places like Dubai, Bangladesh, and the USA. But New Zealand is a different ballgame – fast, seaming tracks with plenty of movement could prove to be his playground. These fresh wickets are the stuff pacers dream of, and they might just bring out the best in him.

Already a sensation in South India, Pathirana’s exploits for the Chennai Super Kings have made him a household name. Fans in Chennai practically worship him, thanks to his match-winning spells in the IPL. The franchise, owned by former ICC boss N. Srinivasan, didn’t hesitate to retain Pathirana’s services, opting to keep him rather than break the bank in the auction to buy him back.

Now, he has a chance to win over the hearts of Kiwi fans. Don’t be surprised if, by the end of this tour, Pathirana has the entire nation singing his praises. Sri Lanka’s New Zealand campaign kicks off with a warm-up game in Lincoln on Monday, with the first T20 International scheduled for January 28th at Mount Maunganui.

The stage is set, the spotlight is on, and Pathirana has all the tools to steal the show. Let’s hope he turns this trip to the land of the long white cloud into his own field of dreams.