Sri Lanka aim to continue red-ball momentum

Nishan Peiris at the Galle Stadium nets

(Pix courtesy SLC) 

 Sri Lanka players inspecting the wicket 

• Kiwis seek to break Galle Stadium hoodoo
• Nishan Peiris to make Test debut 
• Milan Ratnayake replaces Lahiru Kumara

By M. Shamil Amit

Sri Lanka will come into the second Test match with a great amount of confidence as they take on the touring New Zealand at the Galle Stadium, today.

The Kiwis, of course, will be determined to correct their shortcomings and will be seeking to record their first win at this venue following their 63-run defeat in the first Test.  

The Galle Stadium track is noted to favour the bowlers in the tail end especially for the spinners and this game too would most probably be decided the same manner.

In fact, this venue has been a happy hunting ground for Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel. 

However, the middle and late order batting of both sides was left with much to be desired as they collapsed when they were in a strong position. 

Sri Lanka failed in both their innings; from a position of 178 for four they lost their remaining six wickets for the addition 127 runs and in the second innings it was almost the same as they lost their last six wickets for the addition of 59 runs.

New Zealand also collapsed from 269 for four and they lost their last six wickets for 71 runs and in the second innings too they suffered the same fate.

Sri Lanka, no doubt, will depend on their man-in-form Kamindu Mendis although he was unable to make any contributions in the second innings having earlier made 114.

The others expected to make their contributions are the experienced players Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis and Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will pin their hopes on opener Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, who’s fighting knock of 92 in their run chase turned out to be in vain.

The Sri Lankan bowling will revolve around the spinners Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando and De Silva while New Zealand will rely on Patel, William O’ Rourke, Skipper Tim Southee and Glenn Phillips.

Sri Lanka have named uncapped spinner Nishan Peiris in their final playing eleven replacing the injured fast bowler Vishwa Fernando. Also included in the final eleven for today’s match is Milan Ratnayake, in place of Lahiru Kumara.

Sri Lanka having recorded back-to-back Test wins will for sure be looking to continue their winnings streak and New Zealand will strive and put their best foot forward to break the Galle Stadium hoodoo.

The teamsDhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake and Asitha Fernando.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): 

New Zealand (Probable): Tim Southee (Captain), Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell and William O’ Rourke.