New are coming off a much split without Test cricket but their captain backs them to hit the ground running in Galle
Although New Zealand wo n't have played a Test since March, they will have little time to prepare for a packed Test schedule to wrap up the year. Before returning home to England in November and December for three more Checks, Sri Lanka's two-test set may be followed by a three-test tour of India in October and November.
All eight of these activities will comprise the majority of their World Test Championship pattern, with New Zealand quite possibly needing to win at least five of them to get in with a chance of making the last at Lord's.
A one-off Check against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, which was not part of the WTC period, was ultimately supposed to serve as a warm-up for continental problems. But, rain- and wet field- meant that that game was abandoned without a second ball bowled. Tim Southee, the captain, however, chose to concentrate on the positive aspects.
" We've had a bit of a break from Test cricket since the end of our household summer and now we've got an important part in terms of the Examine final cycle," Southee said on the day of the first Test in Galle. " We've got eight games between now and December, so it's an exciting days for us as a Test area and tough times ahead of us- here in Sri Lanka obviously, India in India and finally England at home.
" Yeah it was disheartening [not to play against Afghanistan] but we still spent a month [in India] which we got some positive out of. There is some excellent coaching around, in addition. It's been a while since we've been together, but having that time together and bonding over that period in India was significant. "
As spin-bowling coach, New Zealand brought in Rangana Herath, whose 102 Test innings in Galle are next only to Mutthiah Muralidaran, whose preparations included the spin-bowling office.
" [ He's ] a guy who's taken over 100 Test wickets on this ground, and been a Sri Lankan great. We've got three left-arm bowlers in the crew, who he's been working carefully with, along with our other bowlers. "
New Zealand's power though lies not as much in specialisation, but somewhat their persity of view, and an ability to adapt to various situations. While Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel give frontline roll choices, the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell offer more options. Therefore, alongside Southee, the likes of Matt Henry, Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke all offer range in hole.
" I think generally below, Galle in particular, roll has played a pretty big portion," Southee said. However, if you can perform well below, that will be a challenging but rewarding challenge for pace bowlers.
" You look at the balance of crew, we've got expert spinners, we've got guys at the top of the purchase that you provide roll options, as well as four quality hole bowlers that provide different options as well. I think we've got a number of bases covered, I guess it's just figuring out what balance is the right one to go in with in these conditions.
And it can change between the first and second matches, and it is also possible to change when you travel to India. Therefore, I believe it is important to have a capable squad. "
For Southee, meanwhile, there is also a historic milestone not far off on the horizon. Currently on 380 wickets, he's just 20 strikes away from becoming the 18th player to 400 Test wickets, and the second from New Zealand to the feat after Sir Richard Hadlee.
" I guess over time, when you play for a long period, you're able to I guess come close to those, but still being 20 wickets away is a lot of tours, especially in this part of the world. But yes, you're always trying to do your part and score some wickets for your team, and it'd be nice if you do so in each game. "
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