Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – 2nd Test – Preview - Part 2
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The hosts, meanwhile, will be in buoyant mood after their impressive recovery in the game, where at one stage they had been considerably pegged back by their opponents. At 50 for 5, the Kiwis held advantage but as often is the case, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DPMD-Jayawardene-c1397 came
to the team’s rescue.
The skipper’s invaluable 91-run hand ensured that his side held ascendency and further managed a slender first innings lead. He was ably supported by his deputy, Angelo Mathews, who again proved his mettle as the rightful heir to the captaincy throne.
However, apart from their heroics, no other batter failed to make an impact when the chips were down, and the management will be looking to address that situation. Their resources will be bolstered with the return of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TM-Dilshan-c2691, who is likely to
recover from a back injury. Dilshan was replaced by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Frank-Dimuth-Madushanka-Karunaratne-c57388 and the debutant showed spark in the second innings, managing a brisk half-century.
Nonetheless, Jayawardene claimed that Dilshan will most certainly walk into the team when he fully recovers from his back troubles. The skipper had already made it clear that the current series is crucial in terms of their preparation for the subsequent
tour Down Under, where they take on the mighty Aussies.
Therefore, the showings of his bowlers would have given him plenty of encouragement. While Herath was expected to carry the bulk of the load, his authoritative outing will indeed be a pleasing factor for the hosts, who have generally struggled to find consistency
in the spin bowling department following the retirement of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Muralitharan-c1864.
The Lankans will further take heart from the performances of the seamers. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802 and Shaminda Eranga constantly kept their opponents on the toes and further made early inroads in each innings. With them finding movement on slow pitches, they will
relish the prospect of playing on livelier tracks in the coming month.
"I thought Shaminda [Eranga] and Kule [Kulesekara] bowled really well up front, to take some early wickets and put their middle order under pressure, and Rangana came and bowled really well. When you lose the toss in these situations, you have to play safe
and stay in control," Jayawardene praised his bowlers after they set up an easy 10-wicket win.
Expect no change to the lineup for the upcoming Test, although the return of Dilshan will see Karunaratne dropping to the bench. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/UWMBCA-Welegedara-c2735 is also likely to miss out.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/HAPW-Jayawardene-c1529 (wk), 8 Suraj Randiv, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara/,
10 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ranaweera-Mudiyanselage-Shaminda-Eranga-c83939
The pitch at the P Sara Oval is likely to offer more to the fast bowlers, but expect it to have its usual sub-continental flair. The mantra should be simple; win the toss and bat first. Rain could play a part as it has done all along.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 are still searching for their first win of the tour and are also looking to beat Sri Lanka (in Sri- Lanka) in a Test match for the first time since 1998.
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