Following a successful series at home against West Indies, the Sri Lankans will be travelling to New Zealand to face the Blackcaps in their home territory.
The New Zealanders on the other hand will be returning home after a tough trans-Tasman series down under. Let’s take a look at the history and the numbers between these two sides ahead of the 2-match Test series.
Since 1983
The first ever Test match between the two teams was played in 1983 at Christchurch. The home team was led by Geoff Howarth while the newly born Test nation was captained by D.S De Silva. For only the third time in Test history (after WG & EM Grace, Hanif & Sadiq Mohammad), a pair of brothers opened the batting in a match. This rare distinction was savoured by Sidath and Mithra Wettimuny. Besides that, a staggering 7 debutants were fielded by Sri Lanka. They were Guy de Alwis, Susil Fernando, Yohan Goonasekera, Sridharan Jeganathan, Vinothen John,, Rumesh Ratnayake and Mithra Wettimuny. For New Zealand, Jeff Crowe made his debut. New Zealand comfortably won the inaugural match by innings and 25 runs.
Sri Lanka’s first win against New Zealand came in 1992 at the SSC where the Lions won by 9 wickets. Arjuna Ranatunga led the home team while Martin Crowe led the Kiwis. Three years later, a memorable moment was relished by the Lions as their first ever Test victory away from home was registered against New Zealand at Napier in 1995. Sri Lanka won by 241 runs.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand overall Test record head to head:
· Played – 30
· Sri Lanka – 8
· New Zealand – 12
· Drawn – 10
Recap of the past decade
In 2005, the Sri Lankans travelled to New Zealand and the 2 match series was by the Kiwis 1-0. During the following year’s visit to New Zealand, Sri Lanka managed to win the Wellington Test which was also their last win in New Zealand. The series ended 1-1.
The Lions welcomed the visitors in 2009 where the hosts dominated the Test series by whitewashing New Zealand 2-0. In 2012 the Blackcaps travelled again to Sri Lanka and this time the series resulted in a 1-1 stalemate following New Zealand’s victory at P.Sara Oval in the second Test.
The two sides met for the final time last December in a series where New Zealand supremacy reigned on home soil. The Kiwis defeated Sri Lanka in both Tests at Christchurch and Wellington by 8 wickets and 193 runs respectively.
Sri Lankan tales at New Zealand
Since their inaugural Test in 1983, Sri Lanka has played the Blackcaps 15 times in New Zealand.
· Played – 15
· Sri Lanka – 2
· New Zealand – 8
· Drawn – 5
Sri Lanka’s 2 wins include the 2006 Wellington Test and the historic Napier Test in 1995. The only time Sri Lanka won a series in New Zealand was in 1994/95.
University Oval, Dunedin
Situated deep in the South Island city of Dunedin, the University Oval is relatively a new venue in Test cricket.
New Zealand’s overall Test record at Dunedin:
· Played – 6
· Won – 2
· Drawn – 4
Sri Lanka is yet to play a Test at the venue.
Seddon Park, Hamilton
The picturesque venue at Hamilton has hosted the longest format of the game since 1991. Sri Lanka has played 2 Tests at Hamilton. New Zealand has won 1 and the remainder had been a draw.
New Zealand’s overall Test record at Hamilton:
· Played – 20
· Won – 8
· Lost – 6
· Drawn – 6
Batting records
Most runs – Stephen Fleming (1166 runs in 23 innings) (Avg 58.30)
Most runs for SL – Mahela Jayawardene (1028 runs in 22 innings) (Avg 48.95)
Most runs in New Zealand – Aravinda de Silva (595 runs in 13 innings) (Avg 45.76)
Highest individual score in an inning – Martin Crowe (299 at Wellington, 1991)
Highest match total – Stephen Fleming (343 runs at P.Sara Oval, 2003)
Bowling records
Most wickets – M. Muralitharan (82 wickets in 25 innings)
Most wickets for NZ – Daniel Vettori (51 wickets in 18 innings)
Most wickets in New Zealand – Daniel Vettori (21 wickets in 7 innings)
Most wickets for Sri Lanka in New Zealand – Chaminda Vaas (36 wickets in 14 innings)
New Zealand has not been the best hunting ground for the Lions. It will be a crucial essay for the young side with a perfect opportunity to master themselves in unfamiliar conditions. As for New Zealand, it will be an opening to bounce back and end the year in a flourish.
