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The New Zealand cricket team traveled from icy Christchurch to the tropical heat of Sri Lanka on Saturday, getting acclimatised four days ahead of a three-nation series.

The Black Caps will meet host Sri Lanka in the first match. India are the third team in the tournament.

Despite their late night arrival, at 1:00 am, Sri Lankans gave a warm welcome to the team, sweating in the 32 C (90 F) heat.

Not all players arrived. Skipper Stephen Fleming, with other overseas- based players Mathew Sinclair, Lou Vincent and Kyle Mills, are coming from London.

New Zealand has not played since the Sharjah tournament in April, when the team missed a spot in the final against Pakistan because Sri Lanka had a superior run rate.

With the Sri Lankans enjoying a home advantage, and India fresh from a tri-series with the West Indies in Zimbabwe, the New Zealanders are anxious to slip back into game mode.

The New Zealanders will play a warm-up match on Monday.

Sri Lanka comfortably beat New Zealand 4-1 in a one-day series at home in February.

New Zealand last played India in a series in 1999 where they lost 3-2.

© Dawn