NZ vs SL 1st Test Cricket Live: The touring Kiwis will take on a spirited Sri Lanka in the first of the two-Test series which can prove crucial in their World Test Championship final dreams. On a spin-friendly track at the Galle, New Zealand will face a brave bunch of Lankans who last week ended a decade-long wait for a Test victory in England. The Kiwis though are coming off a washed-out Test against Afghanistan and will be fresh from the long break.
Sri Lanka will take confidence from their eight-wicket win against England at The Oval, where they registered their second straight win in the last 26 years.
World Test Championship points will be up for grabs in the Test series with New Zealand, finalists from the inaugural edition, placed third with three wins and as many losses in six Tests. They are placed third, two places above Sri Lanka, who have lost four of their seven Tests while winning three.
New Zealand have a long season coming up. After playing Sri Lanka, they will travel to India for three crucial Tests and then welcome England home for three more red-ball matches.
Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will be crucial in these conditions, having played a lot of cricket in the subcontinent. He has scored 2003 runs in 24 Tests in Asia, with seven hundreds to his name.
The Test will be unique in a way, with Saturday, August 21 being a rest day since Sri Lanka's presidential elections are to be conducted. Galle helps spin and all eyes will be on Ajaz Patel, New Zealand's sole specialist spinner.