New Zealand will be taking on hosts Sri Lanka in the first of the two-match Test series in Galle on Wednesday, August 14 and will be hoping to start with a victory in spin-friendly conditions.
After a disappointing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Final, New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, are back in business after a gap of one month for the tour of Sri Lanka 2019 which gets on with two-match Test series. Playing away from home in the spin-friendly wicket it will be really challenging for them, however, the likes of Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and Neil Wagner in the batting order will ease their job.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be high on confidence after sweeping the recently-concluded ODI series against Bangladesh. Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews will be their key batsman while Sri Lanka's Test specialist Dimuth Karunaratne at the top-order they don't have room to endure a bad innings. Given the current form, the Blackcaps are the favorites but few good sessions will shift the pressure on the other side.
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Wicket-keeper: Kusal Perera (9 credits)
The experienced batsman, who was the second leading run-scorer in the recently concluded ODI series against Bangladesh will play a key role for Sri Lanka in the middle-order as he is averaging of 35.00 in 16 Test matches if he gets on then the opposition teams tend to find it tough to get him out.
Batsman: Ross Taylor (10 credits)
The experienced middle-order
New Zealand will be taking on hosts Sri Lanka in the first of the two-match Test series in Galle on Wednesday, August 14 and will be hoping to start with a victory in spin-friendly conditions.
After a disappointing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Final, New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson, are back in business after a gap of one month for the tour of Sri Lanka 2019 which gets on with two-match Test series. Playing away from home in the spin-friendly wicket it will be really challenging for them, however, the likes of Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, and Neil Wagner in the batting order will ease their job.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be high on confidence after sweeping the recently-concluded ODI series against Bangladesh. Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews will be their key batsman while Sri Lanka's Test specialist Dimuth Karunaratne at the top-order they don't have room to endure a bad innings. Given the current form, the Blackcaps are the favorites but few good sessions will shift the pressure on the other side.
Player Recommendations:
Wicket-keeper: Kusal Perera (9 credits)
The experienced batsman, who was the second leading run-scorer in the recently concluded ODI series against Bangladesh will play a key role for Sri Lanka in the middle-order as he is averaging of 35.00 in 16 Test matches if he gets on then the opposition teams tend to find it tough to get him out.
Batsman: Ross Taylor (10 credits)
The experienced middle-order batsman will be the key man in the Blackcaps lineup and one of the best batsman against the spinners. Moreover, Taylor played four Test matches in Sri Lanka where he scored 402 runs at an average of 50.25 with the help of two half-centuries and a century.
All-Rounder: Mitchell Santner (8.5 credits)
Santner will play a huge role in the second innings as the pitch tends to produce a lot of turns. Meanwhile, during a warm-up match, Santner bowled six overs went wicketless but was the most economical bowler with 3.17.
Bowler: Tim Southee (8.5 credits)
The experienced right-arm bowler has an experience of two Test matches in Sri Lanka where he claimed 12 wickets at an outstanding economy of 2.76 while, his partner Trent Boult has 9 wickets. This duo initially will create a lot of struggles to the batsmen with their skills.
Captain: Ross Taylor
Vice-Captain: Tim Southee
Predicted Playing XI:
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Suranga Lakmal
New Zealand: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham (WK), Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
