WELLINGTON: Captain Dimuth Karunaratne says Sri Lanka will use their excruciating last-gasp defeat to New Zealand as motivation when the second test starts on Friday at Wellington.
Kane Williamson sealed a thrilling victory in New Zealand by running a pass as the first Test made its way to the final ball in Christchurch.
The hosts’ two-wicket triumph dashed Sri Lanka’s chances of progress World Trials Championship final, giving way to India, who will face Australia.
“Unfortunately we are not able to progress (to the final) but it is a two test series and we have to play for our pride,” Karunaratne told reporters on Thursday.
“I can see the boys in the locker room still want to win this game and shoot the series.”
Karunaratne knows his team paid a heavy price for mistakes on the pitch in Christchurch, especially when dangerous man Williamson was dropped on the 33rd. He went on to go on to win a century.
“There were little things we couldn’t do well, that’s the only concern, but we’re trying to correct the mistakes,” Karunaratne said.
The Sri Lankan skipper claims his couture bowlers can cause problems for Williamson and New Zealand’s top command.
Asitha Fernando took seven wickets in the first Test.
“We can challenge the best Kiwi hitters every time, even some of their players told me they didn’t expect that kind of pressure from Sri Lankans,” Karunaratne said.
“That’s a positive point.”
The second Test is at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, the scene of the hosts’ memorable victory over England last month, which tied that run of two Tests.
“We had a lot of people last time we were here and got the talk of Test cricket,” said captain Tim Southee, whose Black Caps are chasing a third straight Test win.
Showers and high winds are expected on Friday and Southee will decide his team after inspecting the green wicket.
“We’ll have a final look in the morning as there’s some time around,” he added.
Versatile Doug Bracewell has been added to the New Zealand squad to replace Neil Wagner, who is sidelined after completing the first Test with a back and hamstring injury.
Southee expects Sri Lanka to put in place another tough test.
“They are a quality team, as we saw in Christchurch,” he said.
“They’ve had a great two-year cycle in the World Test Championship and they’ll want to end those two good years strong for them.
“It’s a special occasion, it’s our last test for the summer and our last for several months, so I’m sure the guys will want to wrap up what has been an exciting summer.
Kane Williamson sealed a thrilling victory in New Zealand by running a pass as the first Test made its way to the final ball in Christchurch.
The hosts’ two-wicket triumph dashed Sri Lanka’s chances of progress World Trials Championship final, giving way to India, who will face Australia.
“Unfortunately we are not able to progress (to the final) but it is a two test series and we have to play for our pride,” Karunaratne told reporters on Thursday.
“I can see the boys in the locker room still want to win this game and shoot the series.”
Karunaratne knows his team paid a heavy price for mistakes on the pitch in Christchurch, especially when dangerous man Williamson was dropped on the 33rd. He went on to go on to win a century.
“There were little things we couldn’t do well, that’s the only concern, but we’re trying to correct the mistakes,” Karunaratne said.
The Sri Lankan skipper claims his couture bowlers can cause problems for Williamson and New Zealand’s top command.
Asitha Fernando took seven wickets in the first Test.
“We can challenge the best Kiwi hitters every time, even some of their players told me they didn’t expect that kind of pressure from Sri Lankans,” Karunaratne said.
“That’s a positive point.”
The second Test is at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, the scene of the hosts’ memorable victory over England last month, which tied that run of two Tests.
“We had a lot of people last time we were here and got the talk of Test cricket,” said captain Tim Southee, whose Black Caps are chasing a third straight Test win.
Showers and high winds are expected on Friday and Southee will decide his team after inspecting the green wicket.
“We’ll have a final look in the morning as there’s some time around,” he added.
Versatile Doug Bracewell has been added to the New Zealand squad to replace Neil Wagner, who is sidelined after completing the first Test with a back and hamstring injury.
Southee expects Sri Lanka to put in place another tough test.
“They are a quality team, as we saw in Christchurch,” he said.
“They’ve had a great two-year cycle in the World Test Championship and they’ll want to end those two good years strong for them.
“It’s a special occasion, it’s our last test for the summer and our last for several months, so I’m sure the guys will want to wrap up what has been an exciting summer.
