Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bowl first on a greenish pitch in the first Test against New Zealand.
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Kusal Perera’s shock suspension after failing a drugs test has left Sri Lanka reeling ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand starting in Dunedin on Thursday (December 10).
English umpire, Nigel Llong has been moved from third umpire duty for the second Test of the upcoming series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Perera has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Cricket Council has announced.
Such a blow, of losing the experience gained in accumulating more than 20,000 Test runs between the pair, would rip the heart out of most teams and Jayaratne has acknowledged that his side are on a steep learning curve. Apart from Vandersay, Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera provide spin options, but the nature of the Dunedin track could mean there will be place for only one specialist spinner. But with New Zealand naming a 12-man squad, Guptill will likely continue to open the innings with Tom Latham. The duo’s absence means Mitchell Santner, who made his debut in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, could get another game.
The Black Caps are still licking their wounds following the disappointment of a 2-0 Test series defeat in Australia and will be expected to take their frustration out on an inexperienced Sri Lanka.
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The Dunedin wicket is supposed to help seam bowling and it looks like the Kiwis will play four seamers – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner. The tourists have lost leading fast bowler Dhammika Prasad to a back injury but named a pace attack comprising Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal and Mathews.
