New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Preview: After a heroic escape, green track awaits the sturdy visitors

The green track and cloudy conditions will make the subcontinent side's task all the more difficult.

Published - 25 Dec 2018, 12:46 IST | Updated - 25 Dec 2018, 12:46 IST

2 Min Read

It took over a decade for International cricket to see a wicket-less day in Test cricket, which finally came from Sri Lanka on Day 4 of the first Test between these sides. Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis’ sensational effort helped them derive a stalemate, but for them to replicate that would be pretty difficult in Christchurch.

Some tender showers have been forecasted during the game and a green track has already been prepared, which is always a nightmare for a subcontinent side. If the conditions remain cool and cloudy, the fast bowlers will get a lot more lateral movement and Kiwis might take upper hand very easily in that case.

Apart from the experienced Suranga Lakmal, the other bowlers might struggle to cope with these conditions, just the way it happened in the first Test. Their batsmen have scored a lot of runs this year in Tests, but a much difficult task awaits them on Boxing Day.

Team Combinations

Not many changes are expected with Jeet Raval and Tom Latham continuing to open and Kane Williamson coming in at number 3. Ross Taylor, BJ Watling and Henry Nicholls will be forming the middle order with Grandhomme and Southee to follow. Ajaz Patel might get a nod despite the pitch favoring fast bowlers. Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult will be the trio making the visitors work hard with the new ball.

New Zealand

Predicted XI: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult.

Sri Lanka

Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka will open the innings for Sri Lanka. Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva will be crucial in the middle order alongside Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Niroshan Dickwella. Kasun Rajitha might get dropped after a lackluster performance in the first Test paving way for Dushmantha Chameera. Lahiru Kumara, Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera will be the other bowling options for the Islanders.

Predicted XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal (C), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara.

Head to Head

Matches – 33 | NZ won – 14 | SL won – 8 | Draw – 11

Focus will be on

Trent Boult (New Zealand)

The master at exploiting good green conditions, Trent Boult will ask some serious questions to the Lankan batters. With over 200 wickets to his name in this format, he has enough experience to not get carried away by looking at the track and will keep hitting the difficult channels at regular intervals. Patience will be the key to success for him and his partners.

Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)

Kusal Mendis has had a terrific 2018 and another good knock here at Christchurch will be a great way to bow into New Year. His knock in the first Test certainly will be a huge boost in confidence for the 23-year-old. Going into this game, his ranking among batsmen in Tests is 18 and he will be eager to get into top 15 by the end of this game.