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September 17, 2024
Both teams might use three spinners each, but for a result to happen, they need to avoid rain.
A lot has changed since New Zealand last visited Sri Lanka in 2019. Back then, Covid-19 had not yet emerged, and Sri Lanka was still recovering from the retirement of Rangana Herath. With the pandemic behind us, Herath returns as New Zealand’s spin-bowling coach.
Despite these changes, some similarities remain. Sri Lanka is again coming off a historic overseas achievement: back in 2019, they celebrated a remarkable series win in South Africa, and in 2024, they secured a Test victory in England to end a challenging tour. The 2019 series also took place during a presidential election year. However, the upcoming election will impact the first Test with a scheduled rest day.
This New Zealand team is the same as before, with a few retirements, some new players, and a bit more gray hair. However, they may be underprepared as they aim for success in the current World Test Championship cycle. A recent washed-out Test against Afghanistan means their last match was in March, and they haven’t had a competitive fixture since the World Cup in June.
Currently, New Zealand sits third in the WTC standings with three wins and three losses. However, they face a tough challenge ahead, playing two Tests in spin-friendly Galle—where they have never won—followed by three Tests in India.
Sri Lanka’s year has been a rollercoaster ride. They had strong performances earlier against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh but struggled in the T20 World Cup. They bounced back with an impressive ODI series win against India at home. They faced potential embarrassment in England but secured a win in the third Test, giving them momentum heading into this home series.
That recent victory could be crucial for Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the WTC final, especially with four of their following six Tests at home. However, rain is expected to accompany New Zealand from India, which could impact the first Test.
When discussing threats in Galle, Prabath Jayasuriya stands out. Six of his eight home Tests have been at Galle, where he has an impressive record of 53 wickets in just 12 innings. He took at least five wickets in half of those innings, and he’s only had one match where he didn’t claim at least three. Jayasuriya will be eager to make an impact again after missing the tour of England, including the final test.
On the New Zealand side, Rachin Ravindra is making a name for himself in white-ball cricket, but he’s still early in his Test career. With a double century to his credit and batting at the crucial number four position, he is a key player for New Zealand now and in the future. Although five of his seven Tests have been at home, making him relatively inexperienced on Asian pitches, his left-arm orthodox spin and solid batting skills suggest he has the potential to excel in the subcontinent.
Oshada Fernando returns to the Test squad for the first time in over a year. Still, Sri Lanka has decided to stick with their winning batting lineup. Kusal Mendis will be the wicketkeeper, so he won’t bat at number three. Instead, Dinesh Chandimal will move up in the order, while Mendis will bat lower down at number seven. With spin playing a crucial role, Ramesh Mendis will support Prabath Jayasuriya.
Much of New Zealand’s playing XI is clear, with plenty of part-time spin options to support Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. The only uncertainty is the choice of a second seamer to pair with Tim Southee.
Rain is forecasted for all five Test days, including the scheduled rest day on day four. Since the Galle pitch tends to deteriorate by the fourth and fifth days, winning the toss and batting first is crucial for both teams.
“Chandimal took up the gloves and played in the middle order for the sake of the team, but he won’t be keeping in this Test, which means he will move up to number three. Whoever takes up the gloves will bat in the lower middle order.” – Sri Lanka’s interim head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, explains the new batting roles for Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal.
“Having just his experience and knowledge of conditions here in this part of the world, and particularly a ground that he had a lot of success on, has been great. Our guys have been working closely with him and it’s nice to have that knowledge floating around the changing room.” – New Zealand captain Tim Southee appreciates Rangana Herath’s expertise as their spin-bowling coach.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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