Sri Lanka are satisfied they’ll take 20 New Zealand wickets within the second Test beginning in Wellington on Friday to tie the collection regardless of shedding the motivation of the World Test Championship.
Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the WTC ultimate had been ended within the series-opener in Christchurch, the place they misplaced by two wickets in a cliffhanger selected the final ball.
As galling as that defeat was, Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne stated his workforce was inspired by how a lot stress they put the hosts beneath at Hagley Oval.
“We challenged the Kiwis’ top batters,” the opening batsman advised reporters on Thursday.
“Even the (New Zealand) players also talked to me and said they didn’t even expect that kind of bowling pressure from the Sri Lankans.
“I’ve been touring New Zealand a couple of occasions however that is the primary time I noticed the Kiwis are struggling towards the quick bowlers.”
Sri Lanka’s chance of a rare series win in New Zealand has gone but victory at the Basin Reserve would help them end a losing streak in the country going back to 2006 when they split a series.
Motivation may be more of a challenge for the hosts in their final match of a roller-coaster home summer after the emotional highs of winning successive cliffhangers against England in Wellington and the Sri Lankans in Christchurch.
Firebrand paceman Neil Wagner has been ruled out with a hamstring strain and his passion will be missed, particularly if another match goes down to the wire.
Neither team has decided on their 11 but New Zealand are expected to include Doug Bracewell for his first Test in years to join captain Tim Southee and Matt Henry in the pace attack.
“I feel it is a deserved call-up after what he is carried out in home cricket over the past variety of years,” Southee told reporters of Bracewell, who will join his allrounder cousin Michael in the team.
“It’s thrilling to have him and his skill-set across the group.”
New Zealand have happy memories of their last Test at the Basin Reserve where they beat England by one run, becoming only the fourth team in history to claim victory after being made to follow on.
The players piled into a limousine and drove a few laps of the ground in celebration before a big night out.
Southee suggested there would be no need for another limousine booking to motivate his team.
“It’s our final Test at residence for the summer season, our final Test for a lot of months, so I’m positive the blokes will likely be wanting to complete what’s been an thrilling summer season of Test cricket,” he stated.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
