After picking up a surprise win against New Zealand at home, Sri Lanka are now looking to lock in an important series win as they host the Kiwis at Galle for the second Test.
Before the action kicks off, here’s our match preview and predictions.
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After taking a stunning victory at The Oval against England, Sri Lanka followed it up with a big win at home in Galle against New Zealand and now sit on the edge of picking up the series.
Dhananjaya de Silva elected to bat first in the last Test, and it was a combined strong batting performance from the middle order as Kamindu Mendis’ 114 took the hosts to 305, their wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis also scoring a crucial half century. The young Kiwi pacer William O’Rourke was the only bowler who seemed to trouble the Sri Lanka batters as he picked up a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Like the hosts, it was a solid team effort from New Zealand as well, with Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell all getting half centuries to help New Zealand take a 35-run lead. For the hosts, it was the spin duo of Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis who ended up with seven wickets between themselves.
The veterans Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, and Angelo Mathews helped Sri Lanka post a daunting total of 309 in the second innings, which meant the visitors had to chase 275 in the final two days. For the Kiwis, it was Ajaz Patel with six wickets in the second innings, while O’Rourke was among the wickets again as he picked up three. Barring a valiant 92 from Rachin Ravindra, however, none of the Kiwi batter could stand the spin duo of Mendis and Jayasuriya in the second innings as they once again wreaked havoc, picking up eight wickets between themselves to help Sri Lanka to a 63-run win.
At Galle once again, it will be Sri Lanka holding the edge, with the relatively inexperienced New Zealand bowling lineup having their task cut out. Sri Lanka have plenty of experience in the batting lineup to tackle the conditions, and expect their spinners to once again spin a web around the Kiwi batters.
Fantasy XI: Pathum Nissanka, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Medis, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Prabath Jayasuriya, William O’Rourke
Venue: Galle
Winners Prediction: Sri Lanka
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