NZ v Sri Lanka: First-innings runs crucial in second Test

Both New Zealand and Sri Lanka are acutely aware of how important early runs will be in their second Test in Galle, which starts this Thursday.

Sri Lanka won the first Test, largely due to a first-innings collapse by New Zealand that meant the Kiwis relinquished the opportunity to build a big lead.

Black Caps coach Gary Stead has highlighted how important it will be to not make the same mistakes as they look to level the series.

“We probably should have got more run in terms of that first innings, and the lead from the position we were in,” he said.

“I actually think we had a really good Test match and for the most part it was very evenly contested.

“I thought that it was just some small moments that we could have done better.”

Stead also underlined the importance of New Zealand adjusting to the Sri Lankan conditions quickly.

“The second session, I think it was of the third day, where we didn’t take a wicket,” he said.

“Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne batted very well, but we maybe were just a little bit slow to adjust and adapt to that situation.”

Sri Lanka will be looking to address some issues of their own, with the home side suffering several collapses in the first Test.

“We had a collapse in the third or fourth day, it had happened a couple of times earlier also,” said Sri Lanka’s batting coach, Thilina Kandamby.

“We have discussed where we went wrong, especially in the batting.

“The senior players need to take the responsibility because they have played a lot of cricket in Galle.

“We all knew the wicket would be helpful for spinners.”

Kandamby explained that Sri Lanka’s priority in the second Test will be “setting the tone”, whether that is with bat or ball.

“Setting the tone is key in Test cricket, even with the ball,” he said.

“In Manchester also, if you remember, we had a really bad day starting with the bowling.

“Then we recovered really well.

“That’s the positive part of it, whether it comes to bowling or batting our recovery is really good.

“But setting the tone is really important, and all the players know that.”

Cricket bookmakers have given Sri Lanka an edge ahead of the second Test, but not by much.

Bovada puts the home side at +100 to win, with New Zealand close behind on +150 and a draw paying +500.

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