Big image
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouf.” – Mike Tyson (quote reproduced right here within the authentic Tysonian)
In the age of intense scheduling strain from franchise tournaments, and bilateral white-ball fixtures, this was as clear an strategy to a Test collection as Sri Lanka has had in years.
Essentially, it comes down as to whether Sri Lanka’s batters can compete within the first innings. If they’re blown away, as they’d been on the 2 earlier events, New Zealand will seemingly management the sport. Even if they do not, New Zealand may again themselves to make enormous floor within the again finish of the sport, having simply crushed England after being requested to comply with on.
Form information
New Zealand WLDDL (final 5 Tests, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka WLWLW
In the highlight
Pitch and circumstances
The floor is more likely to begin off inexperienced, as they typically do at this venue. Towards the tip of the match, nonetheless, it’s more likely to flatten out. There is a few rain forecast for the primary two days.
Team news
New Zealand are more likely to have a four-man seam assault, consisting of captain Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, and possibly Matt Henry and Blair Tickner.
New Zealand (possible): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Tim Southee (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Blair Tickner
Sri Lanka might think about fielding Lahiru Kumara for his tempo, however his tendency to interrupt down in Test matches might sway them in the direction of the extra dependable choices of Vishwa and Asitha.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Oshada Fernando, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Angelo Mathew, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Niroshan Dickwella, 8 Vishwa Fernando, 9 Kasun Rajitha, 10 Prabath Jayasuriya, 11 Asitha Fernando
Stats and trivia
- Sri Lanka have gained solely two of their 19 Tests in New Zealand. Since their final win in 2006, they’ve misplaced 5 of their six Tests within the nation.
- If Sri Lanka win the collection 2-0, they provide themselves an opportunity of constructing the World Test Championship last. But even then, India must lose or draw their final Test in opposition to Australia for Sri Lanka to be in rivalry.
- New Zealand haven’t gained a single collection on this World Test Championship cycle. The final time they accomplished a Test collection victory at house was in early 2021.
“We pride ourselves as a team in trying not to get too high or too low – to try and stay level. All that’s in the past. We’ve got another Test match to focus on. At the end of the season you sit down and have a beer and reflect on those moments. It all feels like a bit of blur, but you’ve got to put it behind yourself now.”
New Zealand seamer Neil Wagner, on how the staff is trying to concentrate on Sri Lanka, following the spectacular Test in opposition to England in Wellington.
“Often we tour New Zealand in December, but this time we are here in March, when it’s warmer. I think this pitch will get drier faster and there will be some support for the spinners from earlier in the game. Even in the England-New Zealand series, the spinners had taken some wickets. There’s a big chance that a spinner will play in the XI, in addition to Dhananjaya de Silva.”
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne on fielding a specialist spinner within the XI.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf
Source web site: www.espncricinfo.com
.jpg)
