A couple of interesting firsts will occur when the Black Caps and Sri Lanka meet in the first of two tests starting Boxing Day. One, Hagley Oval in Christchurch hosts its first ever test match after recently been given the ICC green light. The test will allow the city and administrators for their role in the World Cup when they host three pool games including the opener between these two teams.
Secondly, the match is the first time in a long time that Sri Lanka won’t have stalwart Mahela Jayawardene in their middle order. After making his test debut in 1997, Jayawardene has been a middle order hero for the best part of 149 games. The adjustment to a middle order without him will make for fascinating viewing in game one, especially if as expected the Hagley Oval pitch is full of pace and bounce and Sri Lanka lose early wickets.
New Zealand will be looking forward to showing the New Zealand public the side’s new found confidence. In last 12 months they have enjoyed test success against India, West Indies, and Pakistan, and gave the sporting public plenty of reasons to support them last summer (who could forget McCullum’s triple hundred).
The Last Time These Two Met
In November of 2012, New Zealand were in the midst of mutiny madness. The story goes something like this: The Coach wanted Brendon McCullum to captain the side – but Ross Taylor was the captain – so they summoned Taylor to a mid-tour getting in a hotel room to explain they wanted a change – Taylor then went out and scored 142 and 74 in the second test to help NZ win by 167 runs and square the two match series. Brendon McCullum has since rightfully taken over as captain and has transformed the NZ side. They now play with aggression and confidence and Taylor too has been “reintegrated” nicely back into the set up.
The Teams
New Zealand (likely): 1 Tom Latham, , 2 Hamish Rutherford, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Brendon McCullum, 6 James Neesham, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mark Craig, 9 Doug Bracewell/Neil Wagner, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult
The only possible changes to this side would see Dean Brownlie slot into number 5 with Brendon McCullum opening. Otherwise the Bracewell / Wagner battle is the only contentious point.
Sri Lanka (likely): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne, 2 Kaushal Silva, 3 Kumar Sangakkara, 4 Lahiru Thirimanne, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Dinesh Chandimal, 7 Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), 8 Tharindu Kaushal/Dilruwan Perera, 9 Dhammika Prasad, 10 Shaminda Eranga, 11 Suranga Lakmal
Prasad will probably be given the third seamers role with Tharindu Kaushal/Dilruwan Perera battling it out to be the teams specialist spin option.
The Key Players
Hamish Rutherford – McCullum’s move down the order has made room for the Otago-based left hander to return to the top of the Black Caps batting lineup. It’s a place where he enjoyed brief success – on debut when he made 171 against England – but has struggled ever since (his average has plummeted below 30). With Tom Latham well established at the other end Rutherford needs a good series to join him as a permanent fixture.
Suranga Lakmal – There are reports coming from the Sri Lankan’s warm up game (and indeed from the final two one layers against England) that Lakmal is looking much sharper than he did against South Africa in June. It appears he’s added a yard or two of pace and could be a handful on the assisting wickets. Sri Lanka will likely need to blood a third seamer on this tour meaning Lakmal will be expected to play a senior role with ball in hand.
The Odds*
New Zealand – $1.83
Draw – $3.00
Sri Lanka – $5.00
*International Cricket odds courtesy of Bet365 Australia.
The Prediction
New Zealand have understandably asked for a surface that will play to their seam bowling strength. The Hagley Oval pitch is already looking green and Sri Lanka lose the toss and bat first this one could over quickly. Fine weather is forecast throughout this one so I can’t see it ending in a draw. Therefore, New Zealand to prevail by 8 wickets.
We also like the look of BetEasy’s option on Sri Lanka’s top bowler int the first innings being the above featured Lakmal, paying $4.33
