ZCZC
BSP-06
CRICKET-NZL-SRI
New Zealand seek record series win in Sri Lanka decider
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Dec 24, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand and Sri
Lanka both have unfinished business when they head into the series-deciding
second Test in Christchurch on Wednesday.
The home side have put the frustration of the drawn first Test aside as
they push to win a fourth consecutive series for the first time.
Sri Lanka are equally determined to show the epic partnership by Angelo
Mathews and Kusal Mendis to save the match in Wellington last week was no
fluke.
“We got so much confidence from that game for this game,” wicketkeeper
Niroshan Dickwella said during nets practice Monday, ahead of the Boxing Day
Test on what promises to be a green wicket.
“If we get some movement here our bowlers will do the job and they know
what areas they must bowl at. Unlike in the subcontinent we have to bowl
fuller here.”
New Zealand went into the two-Test series with a chance to move to number
two in the world rankings if they won both Tests.
That opportunity dissolved in Wellington with the heroics of Mathews and
Mendis, as well as the rain which washed out most of the final day, leaving
New Zealand with their next target of winning a fourth consecutive Test
series.
In their 88-year Test history they have won three consecutive series on
only four occasions.
– Proud record –
But having put down the West Indies, England and Pakistan over the past
year, and posting 578 in their sole innings in the first Test against Sri
Lanka, they sense a historic fourth is within reach.
“We’re very proud of our home record and I guess that’s one of the
challenges now,” batting coach Craig McMillan said.
“This is a one-off Test match and with the series on the line there’s a
lot for the side to play for.
The Hagley Oval wicket traditionally offers pace and bounce and both New
Zealand and Sri Lanka voiced the importance of winning the toss and bowling
first.
Neither side has finalised their playing XI, and while changes are
unlikely, the emphasis for the fast bowlers could be less on the short-
pitched deliveries New Zealand used to pound Sri Lanka with in Wellington.
New Zealand’s batting hero Tom Latham, who toiled for nearly 12 hours for
264 not out in Wellington, said the Hagley Oval wicket would require a
rethink from the bowlers.
“There’s usually a bit of pace and bounce about it and it does offer a bit
for the seamers so we’re going to have to adapt to these conditions as
quickly as possible as well as the Sri Lankans,” he said. “At least with the
Basin it’s a little bouncier, so it’s about our bowlers realising what the
right length is to hit and our batsmen adapting to a certain game plan that
suits that sort of surface.”
The last time New Zealand and Sri Lanka played at Hagley Oval, in the 2014
Boxing Day Test, the tourists won the toss and bowled first only for New
Zealand to win by eight wickets.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1202 hrs