The second and final Test match of the series is set to begin on 26 September 2024, at the Galle International Stadium. In the opening Test, Sri Lanka managed to outplay New Zealand in a tightly contested match. The visitors were left disappointed as they failed to chase a target on Day 4, suffering a collapse against Sri Lanka’s lethal spin attack. After suffering a 63-run defeat in the first Test of the two-match series, New Zealand finds themselves in a tough position, trailing 1-0.

Performance of first Test match

The standout performance came from Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who was named Player of the Match for his incredible bowling figures of 4/136 in the first innings and 5/68 in the second. Kamindu Mendis also made a vital impact with the bat, scoring a crucial century in the first innings that gave Sri Lanka the upper hand.

On the New Zealand side, Rachin Ravindra was one of the few bright spots. His score of 92 in the second innings stood out, but he lacked support from the rest of the batting order, with none of the other batters scoring over 30. Tim Southee, though ineffective with the ball in this match, will be expected to step up as the leader of New Zealand’s bowling attack in the second Test.

Key players to watch

Kane Williamson will be critical for New Zealand’s success in the second Test. Known for his technique, Williamson needs to step up and anchor the innings. Daryl Mitchell’s all-round abilities could be the game-changer for New Zealand if he finds his form with both bat and ball.

For Sri-Lanka, Prabath Jayasuriya will be one of the key assets to take down the visitors second time after his sensational performance in the first Test. The Sri Lankan skipper will try his best to use him at the right moments to gain the upper hand.

Challenges for New Zealand

New Zealand has faced a rough patch, with their struggles beginning in the T20 World Cup where they were knocked out in the group stage. Their recent Test form hasn’t been encouraging either, with a match against Afghanistan being abandoned. The 63-run defeat in the first Test against Sri Lanka was a continuation of these issues, as their batting unit failed to build partnerships when it mattered most.

WTC points

This series is crucial for both teams in terms of the World Test Championship standings. A win for Sri Lanka would boost their points percentage and put them in strong contention for a spot in the WTC final. New Zealand, currently sitting fourth with a 42.85% points ratio, needs a victory to stay in the race.

What are the odds for Sri Lanka vs New Zealand?

Sri Lanka comes into the second Test as slight favourites, given their home advantage and their victory in the first Test. However, New Zealand’s ability to turn things around can never be underestimated, making this an exciting contest to watch. New Zealand, although down, is not out. They are a team known for resilience, and with players like Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, they are more than capable of levelling the series. However, to do so, they will need to resolve their batting woes and come up with a better plan against the Sri Lankan spinners.

Recent Test performances

• Sri Lanka: Win, Win, Loss, Loss, Win.
• New Zealand: Loss, Draw, Loss, Loss, Win.

Probable Playing XI:

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c) (pictured above on left side), Kusal Mendis (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (c) (pictured above on right side), Matt Henry/Ben Sears/Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel

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