Sri Lanka vs New Zealand
Things are beginning to look good again for Sri Lanka as they head into the Second Test at Colombo against New Zealand with a 1-0 lead.
The Lions have backed up a surprising Test series win over South Africa with an opening match victory over the Black Caps and the 2nd Test: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand is nicely set up after that thrilling encounter.
There was very little to choose between the two sides at Galle but had this clash been 12 months ago our SBOBET tips would have been rather different. Kane Williamson’s New Zealand has been at the top of its game for some time while Sri Lanka was in a state of disarray.
But after a change in captaincy, confidence is coursing through the veins of the Lions again. And with a strong spin attack on home soil, they are beginning to look like a force to be reckoned with.
Talking Points
Sri Lanka’s Record Run Chase
The hosts won the first test at Galle in dramatic style and that meant skipper Dimuth Karunaratne has maintained his perfect start since taking over, winning three in three. He led from the front, scoring a match-winning 122 as Sri Lanka chased down a target of 268 with six wickets to spare, in the highest successful Test match run chase in Galle.
While he only hit six fours and a six — he scored briskly by working the New Zealand spinners — including the tourists’ captain Kane Williamson. And the threat of the tourists’ excellent pace duo Trent Boult and Tim Southee was nullified by conditions and canny batting.
The experienced Angelo Mathews scored 50 in the first innings and his presence continues to settle any nerves the younger Lions may feel. Spinner DM de Silva and Lasith Embuldeniya used the conditions with superb skill in Galle and the Colombo pitch will favour them again.
It’s amazing what a win can do for confidence and I expect to see another vibrant performance from the Lions in Colombo.
Black Caps fielding woes
New Zealand has been praised for its sometimes spectacular fielding in recent years, particularly in the short formats of the game, but they failed to take their chances in Galle. Tom Latham dropped three catches in the second innings as Sri Lanka chased a tough total.
Their batting and pace bowling prowess went missing at times in the First Test. Skipper Kane Williamson is one of the best batters in the world but he was dismissed for 0 and 4.
Ross Taylor is an impressive batsman in all formats of the game and he hit an impressive 86 but he can’t do it on his own. A few players made starts but didn’t convert in Galle, though Williamson is more than likely to come good in Colombo.
Left arm spinner Ajaz Patel got five wickets in the first innings at Galle and he’s likely to be a busy boy again in the Second Test.
This is a top-quality outfit of course, only failing to win the 2019 World Cup by the slimmest of margins – losing to hosts England in a Super Over climax. And if they all fire then they will take some stopping.
World Test Championship
This series is the first to count in the newly formed World Test Championship and Sri Lanka has already picked up a maximum 60 points after the First Test triumph.
History
After a difficult period the Lions have shown an improvement this year, performing well, if inconsistently, in the ODI World Cup and winning against South Africa was a great result.
Recent form is in the hosts’ favour. Sri Lanka has won five from six while New Zealand has won only one in that time,
But the latest Sri Lanka vs New Zealand results have been rather one-sided. In 24 head to head meetings since 2015, the Black Caps have won 19 to Sri Lanka’s four and there has been one tie.
In the World Cup New Zealand hammered the Lions by ten wickets, but the tide may be turning, so I’m just edging towards the hosts with my Sri Lanka vs New Zealand betting tips.
Betting Tip
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Sri Lanka vs New Zealand | Sri Lanka Draw no Bet @ 1.96 |
| Aug 22-26, 12:30(GMT+8) |
This promises to be another superb contest with very little to choose between the two teams. Sri Lanka is 2.60 and New Zealand in 2.50 with the draw at 3.00.
There may be a bit of rain and so I’m taking the Draw no Bet option, and while the Black Caps are 1.90 Draw no Bet, I’m sticking with the hosts.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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