Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand- 1st Test, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024

Sri Lanka is set to clash with New Zealand in two Tests at home. The SL vs NZ 1st Test begins on Wednesday (Sept 18) at Galle International Cricket Stadium. Dhananjay de Silva leads Sri Lanka in the series.

They recently won a memorable triumph with a Test victory in England despite a 2-1 loss in their series. They will be confident after their victory on English soil and will be eager to outplay New Zealand at home.

The hosts have kept a squad similar to the previous series and will leave no stone unturned to overpower the Kiwis at home. Below we glance at their predicted playing 11 for the SL vs NZ 1st Test.

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs New Zealand- 1st Test, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024

Pathum Nissanka

Pathum Nissanka will be the opener for Sri Lanka in the 1st Test vs New Zealand. He slammed 217 runs in 2 games in the previous Test series against England.

Dimuth Karunaratne

Dimuth Karunaratne will be the other opener for Sri Lanka in the opening game. He slammed 108 runs in 3 games in the previous Test series.

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis would grab the one-down position for the side in the playing 11. He struggled to score runs in the previous series and needs to buckle up against the BlackCaps.

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Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews will be a middle-order batsman and all-rounder for Sri Lanka in the 1st Test. He slammed 158 runs in 3 games in the recent series.

Dinesh Chandimal (WK)

Dinesh Chandimal would grab the role of wicketkeeper for the side and bat in the middle. He showed a wonderful form in the last Test series, adding 177 runs across 5 innings with 2 half-centuries.

Dhananjaya de Silva (C)

Dhananjaya de Silva is the captain of the team in the series and will lead the side in the 1st Test against New Zealand. He scored 204 runs in the previous series and looks in good touch.

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Kamindu Mendis

Kamindu Mendis would be an all-rounder for the hosts in the 1st game. He shattered the most 267 runs in the previous series against Englishmen.

Prabath Jayasuriya

Prabath Jayasuriya will be added to the playing 11 in the absence of Milan Rathnayake, who gave a wonderful show against England but is absent in the New Zealand Tests. Jayasuriya got 8 wickets in 2 games against England.

Lahiru Kumara

Lahiru Kumara will lead the pace attack for the side against the Kiwis. He captured 4 wickets in 2 games in the previous series.

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Vishwa Fernando

Vishwa Fernando will be another pacer in the playing 11. He needs to showcase a good performance in the absence of Asitha Fernando. Vishwa got 7 scalps in 2 games in the previous series.

Jeffrey Vandersay

Jeffrey Vandersay might be added as another spinner in the playing 11 in the 1st Test. He will look to take advantage of the spin-friendly conditions vs New Zealand.