New Zealand stands in way of Sri Lanka’s World Test final quest

Despite having an eye on the bigger picture of qualification for the final of the World Championship later this year, Sri Lanka Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne said that his team’s focus, for now at least, was the first Test against New Zealand that starts at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Thursday.

A 2-0 series whitewash of New Zealand could put Sri Lanka into the final, although it also depends on India not winning their final Test against Australia.

“Before we even think about two Test matches we need to think about the first Test, and how we can win that. That's been the conversation. As a team, we are well aware of that,” Karunaratne said on Tuesday.

It will not be an easy task either, given that Sri Lanka have previously won only two Tests in New Zealand, but Karunaratne believes that playing in March, as opposed to December when Sri Lanka’s Tests in New Zealand are usually scheduled, could bring their spinners into contention.

“We usually tour New Zealand in December, but this time since we are touring in March it is quite hot and I think the pitches will dry quickly and offer support to spinners. In the New Zealand versus England series, the spinners were among the wickets. So we are leaning towards playing a frontline spinner in addition to Dhananjaya de Silva,” Karunaratne added.

That will likely see Prabath Jayasuriya, the left-arm spinner who had an incredible start to his Test career with 29 wickets in three matches, feature alongside three front-line fast-bowlers.

One department that virtually picks itself is the batting, with Karunaratne backing the batsmen that featured in Sri Lanka’s last Test against Pakistan.

“Right now, our top order is stable. Everyone has been among the runs and have cemented their places,” Karunaratne said, adding that this would mean top order batsman Nishan Madushka is unlikely to be given a Test debut, atleast for the first Test.

“Nishan is an up and coming player who has been among the runs, and consistently too. We would like to give him a chance, but when you look at the team, all the batters have shown their skill, and unluckily he won't get a chance for the first Test,” Karunaratne said.

One way into the team for Madushka however, by Karunaratne’s own admission, is if specialist wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella fails to produce with the bat.

“We look at Dickwella as a specialist wicket-keeper, and when you compare him to the other options we have in that role, he is by far the best. Even when Kumar Sangakkara was in the team, the wicket-keeping role was given to Prasanna Jayawardena, and even though other players who could keep wickets came into the team, Prasanna was always given that role,” he said.

“We need a specialist keeper in Test cricket, more so than T20I and ODI cricket. Dickwella has not played a big innings yet, but when you see how he has batted with the tail end at times, he has made some important contributions. We are going with Dickwella, but we have put that pressure on him, especially since Nishan can also keep, and if Dicwkella doesn't perform maybe that could be an opening for him.”

Meanwhile, New Zealand will take momentum from their dramatic one-run win over England last week, a result that put them in rare company. 

Tim Southee's hosts became just the fourth team to win a Test after following on as they secured a draw in the two-match series against England.

Kane Williamson, who became New Zealand's record run-scorer in the thrilling Wellington win, said it was vital to kick on after the Black Caps ended a seven-Test winless run.

"It's been a long time for us to get over the line," former skipper Williamson said ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on Thursday in Christchurch.

"We haven't had the results we would've liked, despite putting the work in, so it's nice to get those rewards.

"It's an important series for us now as we are looking to improve and we're focused in trying to put out better performances."

Sri Lanka's preparations have been disrupted by rain, with the second day of their only warm-up match against a New Zealand Board XI washed out on Sunday in Lincoln, just outside Christchurch.

Sri Lanka will also play three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s against New Zealand after the Tests.

New Zealand (from): Tim Southee (capt), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Sri Lanka (from): Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake