(Poornama Edirisooriya writes)
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| Two Captains with the trophy |
Can Sri Lanka put them in the World Test Championship Final ?
Sri Lanka is set to compete with New Zealand in New Zealand in a multi-format series from tomorrow. This could be one of the most important series as far as Sri Lanka's chances are concerned, both in the Test and ODI formats.
With the win over India in the 3rd test of #BGT Australia qualified for the World Test Championship final. There are only two teams left in the final race, India and Sri Lanka. If India wins the 4th test, that will be curtains for Sri Lanka. If Australia wins the final test or a draw means Sri Lanka has the chance to qualify for the final but they need to win both of the test matches. (We will come later with the importance of ODI series)
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| World Test Championship-Points Table |
Prior to taking the plane to New Zealand, Sri Lankan players had a resident training camp at Radella, a picturesque ground that is considered a venue that has similar conditions to New Zealand. That'd help the players to get used to the weather conditions as well as it is known that the ball offered more movement than Colombo.
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| SL players in Radella training camp |
Sri Lanka played a 2-day warm-up match in Lincoln. Batters enjoyed some success specially Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis, but you have to expect a much tougher challenge from NZ bowlers in the test series.
When you take a look at the history of the Sri Lankan team in New Zealand, in the longer format they haven't had much success. The most successful tour they had was the 1994/95 series which Sri Lanka won the 2-match series 1-0. It remains the only victorious series we had and there are two drawn series in 1990/91 and 2006/07. New Zealand has won all other 6 series before and they won the most recent 3 series as well. Overall they hold the upper hand winning 11 test matches in their own backyard against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka managed to win only two test matches in 1994/95 and 2006/07.
The most notable performances from current Sri Lankan players in recent times are Dimuth's 152 in Christchurch and Angelo and Mendis' unbeaten batting of the entire day 5 in 2018 at Wellington. Adding to that Chandimal has managed to make four fifties as well.
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| Last time is NZ, Angelo and Mendis batted entire day 5 to save the 1st test |
History says this is tough, but NZ hasn't had much success at home despite their incredible turnaround against England last match. Even Bangladesh won a match against them not so long ago. Having that in the mind, the Sri Lanka team will give their best to grab the chance if WTC final birth.
First Match will start on 09th March at 3:30 A.M. (SL time). How good it can be to wake up before sunrise and enjoy Cricket. Enjoy!
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