Upbeat New Zealand eye winning start to season against Sri Lanka

Overview

New Zealand v Sri Lanka1st Test
Basin Reserve, Wellington
Saturday, 15 December, 11:00 local

A Test series win over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates isn't something many teams achieve these days. Yet, this is what New Zealand, who were playing Tests after a gap of seven months, did against Sarfraz Ahmed and his men when they won twice in Abu Dhabi to take the three-match series 2-1.

Now back home, where they have pleasant memories of bowling England out for 58 at the start of this year, New Zealand will look to begin their season on a high with a two-match series against Sri Lanka in Wellington.

The hosts have the results, players in form and conditions in favour – three essentials for putting in a good performance at any venue – and against Sri Lanka, who were swept 3-0 at home by a rampaging England side, they will back their chances.

Captain Kane Williamson was the 'iron man' for New Zealand in the UAE with a magnificent second-innings century in the final hit of the tour, made more special as New Zealand had a first-innings deficit to overcome.

Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Tom Latham, Ross Taylor and Jeet Raval have all been among the runs, with Nicholls also starring alongside Williamson in that final Test with a century of his own.

The bowling has been as good. Ajaz Patel was among the wickets in the UAE although he is more likely to be used to hold one end up while the fast bowling trio of Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner do their job from the other end.

For Sri Lanka, the onus will rest on seniors like Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne with the bat and Suranga Lakmal and Dilruwan Perera with the ball.

Karunaratne had a good series against England, scoring three half-centuries and will look to continue that form here. He will need support from Chandimal and Mathews, both of whom had ordinary returns against England.

Mathews, however, scored a hundred against New Zealand XI in a warm-up match and has had some batting time before the series opener. Lakmal will, similarly, be required to lead a slightly inexperienced bowling attack comprising Dushmanth Chameera, Lahiru Kumara and Nuwaan Pradeep.

Key Players

Kane Williamson (New Zealand): The home captain has been in red-hot form and played an important role in New Zealand winning in the UAE. His final-innings century was gold dust and will look to add more runs to his account before the end of the year.

Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka): In a series that wasn't the best for Sri Lanka batsmen, Karunaratne shone through, getting three fifties against England at the top of the order. On surfaces that are likely to assist bowlers, Karunaratne's presence at the top will do Sri Lanka a world of good.

Conditions

It's expected to be a cold day in Wellington, with temperatures ranging between 19 and 14°C and some clouds. Such overcast conditions can be ideal for fast bowlers with the new ball and the team winning the toss may be tempted to bowl first.

Squads

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, BJ Watling (wk), Will Young, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Dimuth Karunaratne