Match Preview:
The 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Galle promises to be a thrilling contest, with Sri Lanka holding a 1-0 lead after a hard-fought victory in the first match. Sri Lanka’s spinners, particularly Prabath Jayasuriya, played a pivotal role in their 63-run win, exploiting the spin-friendly conditions to bowl New Zealand out while defending 275 runs. Heading into the second Test, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on similar conditions, with the Galle pitch expected to assist spin once again.
New Zealand, on the other hand, will aim to bounce back after squandering a strong first-innings advantage. Despite Rachin Ravindra’s impressive 92 in the fourth innings, they struggled to cope with Sri Lanka’s spin attack. For the visitors to level the series, they will need to address their frailties against spin and build on their batting depth. The toss will likely play a key role, with both teams eager to bat first and avoid chasing on a deteriorating pitch.
Match Overview:
- Event: 2nd Test – Sri Lanka vs New Zealand
- Date/Time: Thursday 26th September 2024
- UK: 5:30am
- India: 10:00am
- US EST: 12:30am
- US PST: 9:30pm (Wednesday, 25th September 2024)
- Venue: Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Preview:
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Sri Lanka enters the 2nd Test against New Zealand with confidence after a strong 63-run victory in the first Test, largely thanks to their spin attack and a solid third-innings batting performance. Prabath Jayasuriya, who took nine wickets across the match—including a crucial five-wicket haul in the final innings—proved to be a game-changer on the spin-friendly Galle surface. Sri Lanka’s ability to exploit turning conditions, especially in the fourth innings, makes them a formidable opponent at home.
The hosts will likely stick to their tried-and-tested strategy, focusing on building a competitive first-innings score and then allowing their spinners to dominate as the pitch deteriorates. With their batters showing resilience in challenging conditions, and the bowlers making the most of home advantage, Sri Lanka will be looking to wrap up the series with another victory in similar conditions.
Key Players:
- Prabath Jayasuriya (Bowler) – The left-arm spinner was the match-winner in the first Test with nine wickets, including five in the crucial fourth innings. His ability to exploit the turning conditions in Galle will be vital again.
- Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain, Batsman) – As an experienced opener, Karunaratne’s ability to lead from the front with a solid innings will be key in setting a foundation, especially in challenging conditions.
- Dhananjaya de Silva (All-rounder) – A reliable middle-order batsman and a handy off-spinner, Dhananjaya can provide balance to the team with both bat and ball, particularly on a turning wicket.
New Zealand Preview:
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New Zealand enters the 2nd Test against Sri Lanka eager to bounce back from a disappointing 63-run loss in the first Test. Despite posting a higher first-innings score, the Black Caps faltered on a deteriorating pitch, struggling against Sri Lanka’s spin attack in the final innings. Rachin Ravindra was a standout performer for New Zealand, scoring an impressive 92 in the fourth innings, showcasing his ability against spin. However, the rest of the batting lineup found it difficult to navigate the turning conditions, especially as the pitch broke down.
The key for New Zealand will be adapting to the spin-friendly surface and ensuring they capitalize on their early advantages, something they failed to do in the first Test. Their bowling attack performed well initially, but they allowed Sri Lanka to post a crucial third-innings score of 309. New Zealand’s top-order will need to perform more consistently, and their spinners must find ways to challenge the experienced Sri Lankan batters on a track that favors spin.
Key Players:
- Rachin Ravindra (Batsman, All-rounder) – Ravindra’s composed 92 in the fourth innings of the first Test showed his talent against spin. His ability to perform under pressure makes him a crucial player in New Zealand’s lineup.
- Tom Latham (Batsman) – Latham, as one of New Zealand’s most experienced openers, will need to anchor the innings and handle the spin threat upfront to give his side a solid start.
- Ajaz Patel (Bowler) – New Zealand’s premier spinner, Patel will be expected to exploit the spin-friendly Galle surface and challenge Sri Lanka’s strong batting lineup.
Pitch Report:
The pitch at Galle International Stadium is expected to favor spin bowlers, especially as the match progresses. Historically, the surface tends to deteriorate, leading to increased turn and bounce, making it challenging for batters in the fourth innings. Early on, the pitch may offer some assistance to pacers, but spinners are likely to dominate as the game unfolds. Teams winning the toss will likely prefer to bat first to set a strong total before the pitch wears down.
Weather Report:
The weather for the 2nd Test at Galle International Stadium is expected to be hot, with temperatures ranging between 28°C to 32°C. There is a chance of thundery showers throughout the five days of play, but overall conditions will remain warm and humid, which may impact the players’ endurance. Fans and players should be prepared for the heat and the possibility of rain interruptions.
Toss Prediction:
Winning the toss in the 2nd Test will be crucial, with the team that bats first likely to gain a significant advantage on the spin-friendly Galle pitch. Historically, teams batting first have fared better as the conditions deteriorate, making it essential for the captain winning the toss to choose wisely. Expect the team to prioritize batting first to set a challenging total and exploit the spin later in the match.
Squad:
Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Maheesh Theekshana, Lasith Embuldeniya, Kasun Rajitha, and Dushmantha Chameera.
New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (captain), Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, and Trent Boult.
Fantasy XI for Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, 2nd Test 2024:
- Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)
- Kusal Mendis (Sri Lanka)
- Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
- Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
- Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka)
- Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka)
- Niroshan Dickwella (Sri Lanka)
- Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
- Tim Southee (New Zealand)
- Ajaz Patel (New Zealand)
- Trent Boult (New Zealand)
Captain: Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)
Vice-Captain: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
Viewing Information:
TV Coverage:
UK: TNT Sports
US: Willow TV
Online Streaming:
UK: discovery+
US: Willow TV
Match Prediction:
Sri Lanka: 65%
New Zealand: 30%
In the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, Sri Lanka has a 65% chance of winning, given their strong performance in the first Test and the advantage of playing on a spin-friendly pitch at Galle. New Zealand, despite having a capable batting lineup, faces challenges against Sri Lanka’s spinners and has a 30% chance of victory, while a draw is estimated at 5%, considering the potential for thundery showers throughout the match.
