Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Hosts Opt to Bat First in Galle Test
The first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand commenced in Galle, with the hosts winning the toss and electing to bat first. The pitch, according to pitchside analyst Farvez Maharoof, offers ample grass cover, promising early assistance for the pacers.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee expressed his preference for batting first in these conditions, highlighting the presence of spinners in their lineup. Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva echoed similar sentiments, stating that they would bat first to avoid the challenges of the fourth innings.
The Sri Lankan openers, Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka, faced the opening spell from Tim Southee. Nissanka was initially troubled by the extra bounce and movement, but managed to survive the early onslaught.
Southee’s opening over yielded a leg bye, while Nissanka collected a boundary off an inside edge. However, the New Zealand bowlers maintained a tight line and length, restricting the Sri Lankan batsmen to cautious play.
The pitch report suggests that the surface will favor the pacers in the initial stages, but as the match progresses, the spinners are expected to come into play. Both teams have included two spinners in their lineups, with Sri Lanka opting for Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis, while New Zealand has Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel.
The match is poised for an intriguing contest between the two sides, with New Zealand seeking to capitalize on the early conditions and Sri Lanka aiming to build a solid foundation for the innings.
