SL vs NZ 1st Test Probable 11: The first test of the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 will be played between September 18-23 in Galle International Stadium, Galle. The first test will be played across six days, with a rest day set for 21 September, due to the Presidential Election.
A total of two test matches will be played during the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 between September 18 and 30. The Test matches are a part of the ICC World Test Championship Cycle of 2023 – 2025.
With a win against England at The Oval, Sri Lanka moves into the top five in the WTC 2023-25 points table, with a point percentage of 42.86 while the Black Caps currently hold third place with 50%.
SL vs NZ 1st Test Probable 11
Sri Lanka will be forced to make some changes in their playing 11 owing to the conditions compared to the one that defeated England at the Oval. Owing to the spin-friendly pitch, Sri Lanka will include spinners for the first test against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kusal Mendis (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
New Zealand
Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (C), Matt Henry/Ben Sears, Ajaz Patel
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SL vs NZ 1st Test Pitch Report
Spin is again expected to play a role in the game, as was witnessed the last time Galle hosted a Test match. However, rain is expected to disrupt proceedings almost every day. There will be a rest day on September 21 due to the elections in Sri Lanka.
Ahead of the clash, Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya said “Unfortunately we can’t bring Milan into this XI. We can only play two quicks. Everyone knows what the Galle pitch is like. We already have filled those spots with our two best quicks: Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.”
On the other hand, New Zealand captain Tim Southee who is getting closer to 400 Test wickets said “I guess over time, when you play for a long period, you’re able to I guess come close to those, but still being 20 wickets away is a lot of tours, especially in this part of the world.”
