Early morning rain delayed the start of the second and final Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo on Thursday. The match was scheduled to begin at 10 am, but the P. Sara Oval ground remained covered under overcast skies.
Sri Lanka lead the two-match Test series 1-0, having won the first match by six wickets in Galle on Sunday.
New Zealand will look to level the series at the Oval, a pitch that favours seam bowlers. Sri Lankan spinners made the most of the Galle pitch as they ripped through the Kiwis' batting order and restricted the run chase to a daunting 268.
Sri Lanka have been often exposed at the Oval ground by quality seam bowlers.
Sri Lanka have played seven games here in the last 10 years and lost five, including once to New Zealand. In that game seven years ago, Southee claimed eight wickets while Boult finished with seven.
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If the Lankans win the second Test, thereby taking the series, the team will move up to number five in the ICC rankings, and give them a strong start in the World Test Championship.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Jeet Raval, Ross Taylor, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, William Somerville, Mitchell Santner, Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, B.J. Watling, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel and Neil Wagner.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando.
(With inputs from agencies)
