SL vs NZ 1st Test Playing 11: Sri Lanka is scheduled to host New Zealand in a two-match test series starting September 18 at Galle International Stadium. After a 2-1 defeat in the England test tour, Sri Lanka hopes to rise in the WTC points table with a home win.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is new to subcontinental conditions as the one-off test against Afghanistan at Noida has been abandoned due to rain and the absence of a ball being bowled.
While speaking at the toss, We will bat first. Obvious reason to bat here in Galle. We’re playing 2 pacers and 2 spinners. The mood is good and the team is well motivated,” said De Silva.
The conditions look fantastic, the pitch looks good, there’s plenty of grass on the surface which is covered by some brown grass. That means there will be movement with the new ball for the first 30-45 minutes. It’s still a bta first pitch as always at this venue, get 400-450 and bring the spinners into play,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Tim Southee said, “We would have loved to bat, but this surface will play well for all 5 days. Two quicks and two spinners with some part-time options as well. It’s nice to have some sunshine and the chance to play. A number of guys have been part of Tests here, we’ve had a couple of wins in Colombo, but it’s always a tough place for us.”
SL vs NZ 1st Test Playing 11
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (c), Ajaz Patel, William ORourke
Also Read: SL vs NZ 1st Test Live Streaming – When and Where to Watch Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2024
