SL vs NZ 2nd Test Match Prediction: Who Will Win Today's Match?

Sri Lanka and New Zealand to collide in series decider (SLC)Sri Lanka and New Zealand to collide in series decider (SLC)

Sri Lanka will host New Zealand in the second Test of their two-match series at the Galle International Stadium between September 26 and September 30. Sri Lanka won the opening Test to take a 1-0 lead in the series, thus tendering the upcoming fixture a must-win one for the visitors. The match, just like the overall series, also holds profound significance in terms of the 2023-25 WTC cycle.

SL vs NZ 2024 Test Series journey so far

In the first Test, also played out at Galle, Sri Lanka batted first and scored 305. Kamindu Mendis top-scored with 114 alluring runs while William O’Rourke picked up five wickets in the innings for the visitors. In response, New Zealand batters Tom Latham, Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell conjured classy half-centuries as the visitors gained a handy 35-run first innings lead at the halfway stage of the match. Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya (4-136) and Ramesh Mendis (3-101) collectively claimed seven wickets between them.

Sri Lanka batted again and set New Zealand a target of 275 runs courtesies of 50-plus scores from Dimuth Karunaratne and seniormen Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews. Facing an uphill task, the visitors fell 68 runs short of their target despite Rachin Ravindra’s fighting 92, as Prabath Jayasuriya added five more to his tally to pick up nine wickets in the match.

How will the Galle Stadium pitch behave?

The Galle International Stadium tends to be at its pristine best for batters in the first couple of days of a Test match. Meanwhile, spinners tend to take centerstage as the game progresses. The average first innings total at the iconic Sri Lankan venue so far in all Test matches has turned out to be 364.

SL vs NZ: Predicted Toss Result

As per the overall track record of the Galle International Stadium, the captain winning the toss will likely opt to bat first. Teams batting early at the venue have enjoyed favorable playing conditions, and have also won 24 of the 39 result-oriented fixtures.

SL vs NZ: Players To Watch Out For

Sri Lanka

Batters: Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal
All-rounders: Kamindu Mendis
Bowlers: Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis

New Zealand

Batters: Tom Latham, Kane Williamson
All-rounders: Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips
Bowlers: William O’Rourke

SL vs NZ: Match Prediction

SL vs NZ: Predicted Score

Predicted first innings score: 350-375
Predicted second innings score: 300-325
Predicted third innings score: 250-275
Predicted fourth innings score: 175-200

Predicted Result: The team batting first will start out as favorites to win this match.