The New Zealand cricket team, currently touring Sri Lanka for a series of white-ball matches, took a break from their preparations to embark on an adventurous excursion to Minneriya National Park on Wednesday.

The Kiwis enjoyed the breathtaking sights of Sri Lanka’s wildlife, including a close encounter with elephants, ahead of their T20 series which begins on November 9 at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Having arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, the team is gearing up for the first T20 match, followed by a second match on November 10. The three-match ODI series will follow, with games scheduled for November 13, 17, and 19, 2024. 

The first three ODIs will be held at the Dambulla venue, while the final two matches will take place at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The Rangiri Dambulla Stadium has hosted 24 T20I matches so far. The team batting first has won 10 times, while the team batting second has won 14 times.

In the last T20I at Rangiri Dambulla Stadium on October 17, 2024, Sri Lanka defeated West Indies by nine wickets.