Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test Series - Key Players for Sri Lanka

Updated At: 2024/09/17

Sri Lanka returned home on a positive note after finishing the Test series in England. They will now host New Zealand for a 2-match Test series which is scheduled to begin on 18th September.

In recent times, Sri Lanka has shown some positive signs in international cricket. They won a Test fixture in England after a span of 26 years and before that, they won an ODI series against India at home.

The newly appointed head coach and legendary Sri Lankan batter Sanath Jayasuriya has come out as good news for the squad. However, his real test will be facing the Kiwis at home in the longest format of the game.

Dhananjaya De Silva will be leading the group. He and his squad will be confident because of the win against England in foreign conditions. The series is part of the WTC 2023-25 cycle and a win will help the team to finish the championship at a better position.

New Zealand won’t be an easy opposition this time. They are in the redemption of red-ball format and are very close to reaching the final game at the lords. Kiwis only have the option to win and losing is not in their books.

According to 1xBet, the odds are in favour of the hosts for the 1st Test.

Here are some key players for Sri Lanka who will play an important for the hosts in the series.

Angelo Mathews

Starting with the batting unit, Angela Mathews will play an important role in the middle order. He is currently the leading run-scorer among the active players for Sri Lanka in the Test format.

In the recently held Test series against England, Mathews scored 158 runs in 3 fixtures at an average of 31.60 and a strike rate of 72.47.

Angelo Mathews - Test Performance 2024

	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Angelo Matthews	6	405	40.5	51.65

Angelo Mathews - Test Career

	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Angelo Matthews	112	7766	45.15	48.57

Asitha Fernando

Sri Lanka’s bowling has been exceptional in recent times all thanks to their right-arm pacer Asitha Fernando. The 27–27-year-old has seen a gradual rise in his career and has now become a strong pillar for the team.

During Sri Lanka’s tour to England, Asitha Fernando was the leading wicket-taker of the series. He scalped 17 wickets overall at an economy of 4.23. Chris Woakes was next to him with 13 wickets.

Asitha Fernando- Test Performance 2024

	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Asitha Fernando	5	27	22.29	3.74

Asitha Fernando - Test Career

	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
Asitha Fernando	17	62	26.06	3.56

Kamindu Mendis

Kamindu Mendis is still a player who is in the process of discovering himself. However, the 25-year-old has done a good job for the team with his bat since his debut in 2022 in Test cricket.

During the Test series against England, Mendis was the leading scorer for Sri Lanka with 267 runs at an average of 53.40 and a strike rate of 62.97. He is also the leading scorer in Test format for Sri Lanka in 2024 with 634 runs in 5 Test fixtures at an average of 79.25 and a strike rate of 65.22.

Kamindu Mendis - Test Performance 2024

	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Kamindu Mendis	5	634	79.25	65.22

Kamindu Mendis - Test Career

	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
Kamindu Mendis	6	695	77.22	62.66

Check out the prediction for the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test series.