New Zealand Set For Tough Sri Lanka Test

Galle: New Zealand face a severe examination of their skill and stamina as they prepare to take on buoyant Sri Lanka in a two-Test series starting on Tuesday.

On top of the challenge of playing on unfamiliar wickets in oppressive heat and humidity, Daniel Vettori's Black Caps will be up against a home side fresh from a 2-0 series win over Pakistan last month.

Vettori admitted holding the hosts to two draws would be a good result for his inexperienced team, whose four Test wins over the past two years have included three against lowly Bangladesh.

New Zealand last won a Test series in Sri Lanka 25 years ago in 1984, but managed to draw both matches on their last trip under Stephen Fleming in 2003.

Sri Lanka, always formidable opponents at home, defeated Pakistan despite missing master spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for the entire series due to a knee injury.

Muralitharan, the world's most successful Test bowler with 770 wickets, is now back to torment the Black Caps, many of whom have not played the wily off-spinner before.

New Zealand's best chance in the series lies in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium where seam bowlers took 21 of the 40 wickets during the Pakistan match last month.

Team news:

Sri Lanka: They are likely to go in with a new opening combination for the first Test against New Zealand beginning on Tuesday in Galle. Having sat out the limited-overs leg of the recently concluded home series against Pakistan due to injuries, Tillakaratne Dilshan is likely to feature at the top of the order on his return.

Squad (probable): Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara (c), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath.

New Zealand: Despite making only 64 runs in three innings, Tim McIntosh should keep his place as opener alongside Martin Guptill, whose three innings have yielded 80 runs. Daniel Flynn will bat at No. 3 and Jacob Oram should slot into the allrounder's spot at No. 7. They likely play with two spinners, Jeetan Patel may be play with skipper Daniel Vettori.

Squad (probable): Martin Guptill, Tim McIntosh, Daniel Flynn, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum (wk), Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (c), Jeetan Patel, Iain O'Brien, Chris Martin.

Pitch and conditions:
During the last Test played in Galle - in July during the monsoons - the pitch reacted to moisture and the match was won in three days and a session. The ball seamed around throughout the game and conditions were exploited well by the quick bowlers of both Sri Lanka and Pakistan, but ultimately the visitors' inadequacy with the bat proved decisive on the fourth morning. It hasn't rained nearly as much as it did in the lead-up to that Test but the seamers will still fancy their chances.

Stats and trivia:

• The last time these two teams played a three-Test series was in Sri Lanka in 1998 , when the hosts won 2-1 after losing the first Test.
• It has been 25 years since New Zealand last won a Test series in Sri Lanka, but they did manage to draw both games when they toured under Stephen Fleming in 2003.
• In five Tests in Sri Lanka, Vettori has taken 20 wickets at 23.30.
• Murali has played six Tests against New Zealand at home, taking 39 wickets at 21.79.
• New Zealand's only Test in Galle was an innings and 16-run defeat in 1998.
• Taylor has scored half-centuries in each of his three innings on the tour so far, and averages 75.33.

Match Facts
Tuesday, August 18 to Saturday August 22, 2009
Start time 10.00 local (04.30 GMT)

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