SL vs NZ Dream11 Match Prediction

SL vs NZ Dream11 | New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka – 1^st Test Preview

After a successful World Cup campaign, the Kiwis return to the cricketing action at the Sri Lankan shores for a series including 2 tests and 3 T20s. New Zealand will start their tour to Sri Lanka in whites with 1st test starting from August 14, 2019, at Galle International Stadium, Galle.

New Zealand will look to their heartbreaking loss to the hosts England in the World Cup final behind them by starting their tour on a winning note.

Galle historically has always assisted the spinners, and once again both teams will bank upon their spinners to deliver the goods. Both sides will look to bat first as it is tough to chase in 4th innings at Galle International Stadium.

The highest chased score at the ground is 99/3 by Sri Lanka against Pakistan in 2014. The average 4th inning score at Galle International Stadium is just 152 in comparison to 379, the average 1st inning score at the same venue. Out of the total 32 matches played at Galle International Stadium, only 6 matches have been won by the teams chasing. Since 2015, in the last 7 matches played at the venue, all the matches have been won by the teams batting first.

Form Guide

New Zealand: The Blackcaps have been on a roll in the past couple of years as they haven’t lost any test series since December 2017. In fact, the Kiwis have lost only a single test match in the mentioned period against Pakistan in UAE where they managed to stun the hosts by clinching the series 2-1.

The Kiwis also managed to topple the Lankans in their most recent meeting where they beat the Lankans 1-0 at home.

Recent Form: DWWWD

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is no longer a side it used to be. Since the retirement of legendary seniors including Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, and Tilakaratne Dilshan Sri Lanka have been finding it difficult to trouble the opponents regularly.

However, it doesn’t mean that the Kiwis should take the Lankans lightly. Sri Lanka still is a formidable side at home. They still boast a world-class bowling attack, and it is their batting which has let them down more often than not.

Sri Lanka, in their most recent test assignment against South Africa, stunned the cricketing world by defeating the hosts 2-0.

With the seniors making a comeback to the squad, Sri Lanka will pose a threat to the Kiwis’ ambitions to lift the trophy in Indian-subcontinent.

Recent Form: LLLWW

1st Test Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Team News

New Zealand:

Keeping spin-friendly surfaces of Sri Lanka in mind, the Blackcaps have picked four spinners in their 15-man squad for the series. After playing a decisive role in New Zealand’s triumph against Pakistan in UAE last year, both spinners, William Somerville and Ajaz Patel have managed to keep their place in the squad.
The duo is joined by the returning Mitchell Santner and leg-spinner Todd Astle in the spin-bowling department. New Zealand have only selected three specialist pacers – Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner. Colin de Grandhomme, the seam-bowling all-rounder, has completed the Kiwis’ bowling line-up.
The batting pillars of New Zealand side, captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor alongside Jeet Raval, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, and Tom Latham has completed the batting set-up for the Blackcaps. Tom Blundell, the talented wicketkeeper-batsman has been selected as the back-up keeper to BJ Watling.

New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Tom Blundell, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Will Somerville, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner.

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka have recalled the former skipper Dinesh Chandimal for the first test against New Zealand. The selectors have also called for the services of veteran Angelo Mathews who missed the South Africa tour due to a hamstring injury.
The list of returning players also includes the names of spinner Akila Dananjaya and wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne alongside Lahiru Thiramane, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Oshada Fernando has been trusted to handle the batting department by the selectors.
Meanwhile, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, and Vishwa Fernando are the pacers selected in the squad. Spinners Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan with the newcomer L Embuldeniya have completed the bowling set-up of Sri Lanka.
Dhananjaya De Silva has been slotted in the spin-all rounder slot, and he will provide the balance to Sri Lankan team.

Sri Lanka Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya De Silva, Akila Dananjaya, L Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal,Lahiru Kumara, Oshada Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, and Vishwa Fernando.

NZ Playing 11: The Blackcaps have more of a settled playing XI with Jeet Raval & Tom Latham at the top and Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to follow. Henry Nicholls and wicketkeeper-batsman will complete the Kiwi middle-order.

The Kiwis are expected to play three spinners, and de Grandhomme may have to make a place for the returning Mitchell Santner in the XI. After the impressive performances against Pakistan in UAE, Ajaz Patel and William Somerville are expected to keep their place in the team.
Trent Boult will walk straight into the playing XI, but the team management has to choose one pacer from Neil Wagner and Tim Southee.
Meanwhile, Tim Southee will provide a different dimension to the Kiwi pace attack as both Trent Boult, and Neil Wagner are left-handed. However, Neil Wagner has been a tireless workhorse for the Blackcaps in the last few years. Due to his ability to bowl long spells in the middle and bouncing out batsmen on the dead tracks, he may get the nod ahead of his counterpart Southee.

New Zealand Probable XI: Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Mitchell Santner, Neil Wagner, William Somerville, Trent Boult, and Ajaz Patel.

SL Playing 11:

With the return of two former captains Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lankan has received the much-needed boost of experience required in the test arena. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne alongside Lahiru Thiramane will lead the charge of Sri Lankan batting from the front.
Dinesh Chandimal is expected to replace youngster Oshada Fernando in the XI while wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis followed by Angelo Mathews and flamboyant Kusal Perera are expected to complete the middle order of Sri Lankan batting.
Dhananjaya de Silva will be slotted in the all-rounder slot, and mystery spinner Akila Danajaya is expected to lead the spin-attack of the Lankans. Due to his impressive show on the South African soil against the hosts, the newcomer L Embuldeniya may get the nod ahead of Lakshan Sandakan in the playing XI. Pacers Suranga Lakmal and Vishwa Fernando will be tasked with the duties of providing breakthroughs with the new cherry.

Sri Lanka Probable XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Lahiru Thiramane, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis (WK), Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, L Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, and Vishwa Fernando.

Kane Williamson: Captain cool Kane Williamson is one of the best batsmen in the world across all formats. He has got the technique to score runs in every condition. With 6139 test runs in 127 innings at an average of 53.38, Kane Williamson is the best batsman among both teams. Kane Williamson was in full flow in recently concluded World Cup where he scored 578 runs in just 9 innings. He is a man in form and will be the best bet for the captain of the fantasy side.

Angelo Mathews: The most experienced batsman in Sri Lankan batting order, Mathews has been a pillar of Sri Lankan batting line-up since the retirement of Sangakkara and Jayawardene. With more than 5000 test runs against his name, Mathews bind-up Sri Lankan middle order together.

Ross Taylor: Ross Taylor has been a mainstay in the New Zealand batting line-up for years now. The middle-order batsman has scored in every country he has played in throughout his career. Ross Taylor has managed to maintain a career average of more than 45, and he will impose a significant threat with the bat to Sri Lanka in the 1st test.

Ajaz Patel: In recent times, Patel has emerged as the leading spinner for the Kiwis in the test arena. Patel came into limelight with his match-winning heroics against Pakistan in UAE where he single-handedly won the match for his team. Patel also has performed brilliantly in the practice match by clinching 4 wickets against Sri Lanka Board’s XI.

Akila Dananjya: The young mystery spinner from Sri Lanka still is relatively inexperienced in tests. However, with 27 wickets against his name at an average of 24.25, Akila has already shown his capabilities. The surface of Galle will assist the spinners, and with Kiwis traditionally being a bit uncomfortable in handling spin, Akila may create havoc in New Zealand’s camp. He may also be a safe choice for the captain of the fantasy side.

X-Factors

Dimuth Karunaratne: Sri Lankan Captain Karunaratne has emerged as the most bankable batsman in the Sri Lankan batting in the recent times. Dimuth has been a consistent performer for his team, and he has scored 8 test tons while opening the batting for Sri Lanka. Being the captain of his side, he once again will look to stamp his authority by leading his team from the front.

Mitchell Santner: Making the comeback to New Zealand side, Santner will look to nail down his spot in the playing XI. Mitchell Santner is a decent allrounder, and he has a handy batting average of over 25 to go with his 34 wickets in 17 matches. Sri Lankan conditions will suit Santners’ game, and he may prove to be the biggest game-changer for the Blackcaps in the series.

WK: K Perera

Batsmen: D Karunaratne, A Mathews, Kusal Mendis, K Williamson, R Taylor, T Latham

All-rounders: D d Silva

Bowlers: L Embuldeniya, T Boult, A Patel

Captain choices – D Karunaratne, K Williamson

For daily fantasy sports tips on your mobile phone, Fill out the form below