Sri Lankan skipper Dimuth Karunaratne is confident to produce the biggest challenge to level the Test series when they take on New Zealand today in the second Test match scheduled to be played in Wellington commencing from 3.30 am (Sri Lanka time). Newcomer Nishan Madushka is set to make his Test debut today.
It was a tough first Test at Christchurch until the last ball we gave a good fight. There were a lot of positives at the first Test while our batters and bowlers did really well to put pressure against Kiwis and we are expected to do the same at Wellington where they will provide a more seam-friendly wicket added Dimuth Karunaratne yesterday at the pre-match press conference.
The Sri Lanka team has a successful two training sessions at Wellington while the reports said this time there will be a more seam-friendly wicket for the second Test.
Sri Lanka already named twelve players for the second Test today and they are going to finalise the final eleven today morning after observing the wicket before the toss.
The only change could be a bowler that is going to be either leg spinner Prabath Jayasuriya or the left arm paceman Vishwa Fernando. Most probably it will be Vishwa Fernando as the Sri Lanka team are looking to add the left-arm paceman ahead of leg spinner Jayasuriya.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka's promising top-order batter and wicketkeeper Nishan Madushka is ready to make his Test debut today while experienced Niroshan Dickwella who is in poor form dropped from this game and that slot goes to Madushka, a product of Moratu MV and Ragama CC. Madushka the 23-year-old right-hander is in terrific form while he completed thousand runs at Major Clubs Three-day cricket tournament followed by a double century and two centuries at the England Lions Test match series as a Sri Lanka A opener.
Madushka’s inclusion inspired the domestic level players and selectors made the right choice at right time says Ragama CC's past President and international cricket commentator Roshan Abeysinghe. If Madushka will get a chance today he will bat at number seven same as Dickwella's position in addition to the wicket keeper job.
Meanwhile, New Zealand is looking to repeat their performance and hope to make a 2-0 series. Neil Wagner was injured during the first Test and he will be replaced by another paceman in this seam favour wicket. Kane Williamson the key batter who scored back to back centuries at their last two Tests against England and Sri Lanka could be the most dangerous batter and Sri Lanka bowlers will be looking to get his wicket early. Tom Latham the opener, and Daryl Mitchell the Man of the Match of the first Test are in good form and this is going to be Sri Lanka seamers and Kiwi batters battle. Both Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara were leading from the front during the first Test and their form and Kasun Rajitha the third seamer are also very vital for this second Test. The openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando have to get a good start to build up the game and once again big responsibility goes to two senior players Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal.
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