The first test match of the New Zealand team's tour of Sri Lanka is scheduled to start tomorrow (18th) at 10.00 am at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
According to that, Sri Lanka acting head coach Sanath Jayasuriya said that the necessary plans have been prepared to win this match and the players will be successful in those plans. Sanath said this while addressing a press conference held at the Galle International Cricket Stadium before the start of the first Test match.The Acting Head Coach of Sri Lanka also commented, 'We study each batsman and make plans. Kane Williamson is also looked at accordingly. All our fast bowlers and spinners have discussed it. We know what our team's strengths are in our situations.
Also, since we have played a lot of games with New Zealand, we are working according to plans. We hope that our players will succeed in their plans. I have a lot of faith in the players. He said that he will play according to the plans in Galle as well as in England.
Apart from that, Sanath who gave the answer to the question about whether Kamindu Mendis will bat at No. 3 position said, 'Kamindu will not play at No. 3 position. He plays as a middle order batsman.'
Also, Sanath, who commented on the bowling performance of this match, said as follows. Here we faced a big problem in selecting the team. Because the third fast bowler in the team is our former best fast bowler. He bowled well and hit the ball well.
But in order to balance the team, we should have a spinner in the team as per the Galle stadium. But Milan Ratnayake should be appreciated for the way he played in the first visit. He played there as a mature player.
But unfortunately Milan Ratnayake cannot be included in the final 11 in this match. That decision had to be taken to balance the team.
Sri Lanka enter this tournament after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the challenging Test series against England.Nevertheless, Sri Lanka managed to win the final match held at the Oval Stadium in London. Accordingly, there is no doubt that Sri Lanka will pose a strong challenge to the New Zealand team on the Galle pitch, which is more suitable for spinners.
The last time New Zealand joined a Test match was the recently scheduled Test match against Afghanistan in India. However, the match had to be abandoned due to rain.
If Sri Lanka is able to win this Test series 2-0, Sri Lanka will be able to reach the 3rd place in the World Championship Test points table. Currently, Sri Lanka is at the 5th position and New Zealand is at the 3rd position.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan squad for this tournament had been named recently and steps had been taken to add right-handed batsman Oshadha Fernando.
However, it is said that Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaran will have the responsibility of starting the Sri Lankan innings in this match. Pathum Nissanka's success with the bat in the completed tour of England is the reason for that. Apart from that, Dinesh Chandimal will enter the field as the No.3 batsman. Kamindu Mendis has been promoted as the number 5 batsman.
Accordingly, Kusal Mendis will be the No. 7 batsman as he is responsible for keeping the wickets.
Also, fast bowlers Asita Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Milan Ratnayake, who performed excellently with the ball during the tour of England, have also been added to this squad. However, it is also said that Ramesh Mendis will get a chance in the team at the Galle pitch, which is more suitable for spinners.Apart from that, Asita Fernando and Lahiru Kumara will be given the responsibility of fastball.
However, Oshadha Fernando and wicketkeeper Sadheera Samarawickrama are more likely to remain in the squad as additional players.
The first match of the 2-match Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is scheduled to be held from today (18th) to 23rd and the second match will be held from 26th to 30th of this month. It is also special that both these matches are planned to be held at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
So far the number of Test matches held between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is 38. While New Zealand won 18 Test matches, Sri Lanka won 9 matches. 11 matches have ended without a win or loss.
