Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Preview & Prediction | 2nd Test
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
In what was a relatively close first Test, Sri Lanka took full advantage of bowling in the fourth innings on a wearing pitch to secure a 63-run win, giving them the lead ahead of this second Test.
DATE/TIME: Thursday 26th September 2024 - UK – 5:30am / India – 10:00am / US EST – 12:30am / Wednesday 17thSeptember 2024 - US PST – 9:30pm
VENUE: Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: A chance of thundery showers at some point across the five scheduled days but hot conditions throughout.
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Willow TV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ / US – Willow TV
SRI LANKA FORM: SPIN-TO-WIN FOR HOSTS IN GALLE
Prabath Jayasuriya took five wickets in the fourth innings as Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand chasing 275 runs to win. When considering that the tourists were ahead at the half-way stage, it was an excellent effort from Sri Lanka to score 309 in the third innings, which proved crucial in the end.
LAST FIVE: WWLLW
NEW ZEALAND FORM: TURNING CONDITIONS TOO MUCH FOR KIWI BATTERS
New Zealand will have been disappointed to throw away a winning position with them having recorded a higher first innings score. In the end, they allowed Sri Lanka to gain at least 50 runs too many in their second innings, leaving them too many runs to chase on a pitch taking significant spin.
LAST FIVE: LALLW
SRI LANKA BETTING ANALYSIS
In our batting analysis for the first Test, we stressed upon the importance of Prabath Jayasuriya and how the left-arm spin-bowler would benefit as the pitch deteriorated. A five-wicket-haul in the fourth innings and nine wickets overall is testament to that and on the same ground, it would be no surprise if he were to make a similar impact here. With that in mind, back Jayasuriya to take over 4.5 match wickets across this second Test.
NEW ZEALAND BETTING ANALYSIS
Young New Zealand prodigy Rachin Ravindra continues on his vast ascent in the world game. A score of 92 in the fourth innings again demonstrated quality beyond his years and had the Black Caps gotten over the line, he would have been to thank for it. Such a knock will have hugely boosted Ravindra’s confidence, who looks a fabulous player against spin. Therefore, back him to follow that up with over 60.5 match runs this time around.
SRI LANKA VS NEW ZEALAND EXPERT PREDICTION
The toss is likely to be very important again here with whoever winning it surely wanting to bat first as Sri Lanka did in the first Test, ensuring they are bowling in that all-important fourth innings. It’s still very fair to claim that New Zealand boast a batting line-up capable of outscoring Sri Lanka, as they proved in the first two innings of the last match. However, those formidable Sri Lankan spinners make them a really difficult side to defeat and backing the hosts represents the more sensible move.
SRI LANKA VS NEW ZEALAND TIP: SRI LANKA TO WIN
