World champions Sri Lanka's capabilities in one day cricket will be tested fully this year as they are down to play in four limited over tournaments. Their first tournament for the year will be the Champions trophy tournament in Sharjah in April.
Sri Lanka's one day international schedule for 1997: vs. New Zealand : March 22 at Eden Park, Auckland, March 25 at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, March 27 at Basin Reserve, Wellington vs. Pakistan and Zimbabwe in the Champions trophy in Sharjah (two matches each in the preliminary round from April 3 to 9 - final on April 11) 7 May to 22 May - Quadrangular tournament in India (two matches each against three teams). vs. West Indies (one match between 23 May to 23 June) vs. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh (a match each between July 15 to 29 - final on July 31 in the Asia Cup tournament in Sri Lanka. vs. India (three matches between August 3 to September 5. 30 Oct to 10 Nov: Three matches in a Triangular Series in Pakistan vs. India (three matches between November 14 to December 26).
* Sri lanka will play a total of 11 Test matches during this year and the most of them will be against India - 5, due to a backto-back series later this year.
The year 1997 will be of special significance to Sri Lanka Test cricket as they will play their first ever Test against the West Indies on Caribbean soil in May/ June.