SL to give best shot to qualify for place in WTC final: Dimuth

Rival captains Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka) and Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

• First Test v New Zealand tomorrow 

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka know that history is against them when they begin the two-match Test series against New Zealand at Christchurch on Thursday as they have never beaten the Black Caps 2-0 on their home soil. That is what is required from Dimuth Karunaratne’s team if they are to have a chance of qualifying for a place in the second ICC World Test Championship final for the first time.

“We have never been this close to achieving it, and everyone in the team is working very hard towards fulfilling this opportunity that has come our way,” said Karunaratne in a pre-match virtual press conference from Christchurch yesterday. 

“Every game is a challenge to us, we do not take anything lightly. This is perhaps the biggest challenge for us to beat New Zealand 2-0 and qualify for the WTC final. The team is working out of their skin more than they normally do because they are also keen to win the two Tests and qualify for the final.” 

“The last occasion we ended up seventh. Now, when we have got a chance of qualifying we want to make the most of it. Everyone is focused on it. We don’t know what the final outcome will be, but as a team we are preparing ourselves, determined to give 100 percent and win.”

Karunaratne and his team know that they have no control over forces outside their range. The chances of Sri Lanka qualifying for a place in the WTC final depends not only on them beating New Zealand 2-0, but also India not winning the fourth and final Test against Australia starting in Ahmedabad on the same day as the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Sri Lanka will find themselves in the hunt only if Australia provide them with a reprieve in the form of a draw or a victory.

If India draw the fourth Test they will finish with 127 points (59%) and if they lose they will end up with 123 points (57%). If Sri Lanka beat New Zealand twice they will finish with 88 points (61%) and qualify for the final with Australia, who ensured their place with a victory in the third Test, giving them a points tally of 148 (68.5%).

Sri Lanka are coming back into Test cricket after a lapse of eight months (they played their last Test match against Pakistan in July) and Karunaratne expressed his concerns of how difficult it is for a player to hit his straps after such a long period of inactivity. 

“As a cricketer it is very difficult. A batsman has confidence when he has runs behind him. So, not playing a Test for eight months and to have only one hit in the two-day warm-up match in New Zealand before the Test series is a massive challenge. We have to build up our confidence in the first few overs of the Test match and it applies to all our batsmen. It is a very difficult task but we have to accept the challenge and face up to it.”

The conditions for Sri Lanka on this tour are favourable compared to previous visits. 

“We have come to New Zealand in March which is the hottest time of the year here. There was sunshine during the warm-up game and I think we will be more comfortable playing in these conditions than when we used to come here in December-January when it is quite cold. 

“I think the surface will dry up quickly and the chances of playing a specialist spinner (other than Dhananjaya de Silva) is a possibility. Even in the England-New Zealand Test matches spinners had taken wickets. We might play three fast bowlers and a genuine spinner.”

Karunaratne disclosed that Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando will be three seamers. The spinner’s spot will be decided between left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya and off-spinner Ramesh Mendis.

Uncapped Nishan Madushka breaking into the Test squad has brought extra pressure on wicket-keeper/batsman Niroshan Dickwella, who has yet to score a Test hundred.  

“We first look at Dickwella as a wicket keeper. Compared to others around him he is right on top. For Test cricket we need a good wicket-keeper unlike for the ODIs and T20Is.  “From the runs point of view Dickwella has not made many but he has done his bit with the tailenders. With Nishan Madushka coming he knows there is pressure for his place. If he doesn’t perform there is a chance of Nishan replacing him,” said Karunaratne.

As an additional specialist batsman, Madushka’s chance of playing as a batter will only arise if one of the top six are injured.  

“If we take our top order it is stable. They have made runs and have cemented their places. But if any player gets injured we will certainly consider Madushka because he is the only specialist batsmen in the top order. For the middle order there is Kamindu Mendis.”

Sri Lanka’s top six would read Karunaratne, Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva. A lot would rest on the shoulders of Mathews, Karunaratne and Mendis – all three of whom have made Test hundreds in New Zealand on previous tours.