SL vs NZ, 1st Test | Playing 11 Prediction, Preview And Live Streaming

Sri Lanka are hosting New Zealand for a two-match Test series (X)

Sri Lanka are set to lock horns with each other in the first of the two-match test series at the Galle International Stadium starting, Wednesday, September 18. Both Tests of the series will be held at the same venue, with a scheduled rest day on September 21st due to Sri Lanka's presidential elections.

SL vs NZ 1st Test: Preview

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, with a squad full of seasoned campaigners, will be no pushovers. Known to be a force to reckon with in their backyard, the Lankans are likely to thrive on the spinning surfaces of Galle.

Pathum Nissanka recently starred with a scintillating knock of 127 off 124 balls that led to Sri Lanka’s first victory over England on their home soil in over a decade. His attacking knock left England scratching their heads, and he’ll surely be looking to bat in a similar vein against the Kiwis.

With Oshada Fernando back in the squad following impressive outings for the A team, the Sri Lankans have a well-rounded squad. However, Oshada might not feature in the playing XI, given the strong lineup already in place.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, and Dhananjaya de Silva are likely to feature in the playing XI. The hosts will be hoping that their pace battery—Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, and Vishwa Fernando—can once again play a crucial role in limiting New Zealand’s batting as they look to start the series on a high note.

New Zealand

For New Zealand, the tour to Sri Lanka comes on the back of a home series loss against Australia. The Kiwis were blindsided 2-0, and although their match against Afghanistan was abandoned, they’ll be keen to get into the thick of things and get their World Test Championship campaign back on track.

The Kiwis’ last trip to Sri Lanka saw them register an emphatic win by an innings and 65 runs at Galle. Captain Tim Southee will need to cook up a masterplan if the Kiwis are to stand any chance of beating Sri Lanka on their own turf.

Kane Williamson, with a remarkable 1,098 runs in his last 10 matches, will once again be the backbone of New Zealand's batting. Alongside him, Daryl Mitchell, who has notched up 616 runs in 9 games, and the ever-reliable Matt Henry, with 40 wickets in his last 10, will be instrumental if New Zealand are to turn the tide in their favour.

With spinners like Mitchell Santner in the mix, the Kiwis will need to strike while the iron is hot, especially with their World Test Championship hopes hanging by a thread.

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Galle International Stadium Pitch Report For SL Vs NZ 1st Test Match

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SL vs NZ 1st Test: Match Details & Live Streaming

SL vs NZ 1st Test: Galle International Stadium Pitch Report

The Galle pitch, notorious for assisting spinners, is expected to become a veritable minefield as the game progresses. The first three days will offer the best conditions for batting, but as the match wears on, expect the cracks to widen and spinners to run riot. The statistics don’t lie—teams batting first have won 23 out of the 44 Tests played here. For the captains, the toss could well decide the fate of the match.

SL vs NZ 1st Test: Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Prathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel

SL vs NZ 1st Test: Winner Prediction

Considering the current form, and familiarity with the conditions, Sri Lanka are the clear favourites of the match.

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Galle International Stadium Weather Report For SL Vs NZ 1st Test Match

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