Echoes of 2019 in 2024

Much has changed since New Zealand last toured Sri Lanka in 2019. Back then, the world had yet to encounter Covid-19, and Sri Lanka was beginning to adjust to life after Rangana Herath's retirement. Now, the pandemic is a distant memory, and Herath finds himself on New Zealand’s side, serving as their spin-bowling coach.

Despite the changes, some things remain familiar. Just like their previous visit, Sri Lanka enters this series on a high, this time following a gritty Test win in England—back in 2019, it was a historic series triumph in South Africa. Similarly, this series also takes place in an election year, though the 2024 presidential election is close enough to pause the first Test for a rest day. As for New Zealand, the core of their squad from 2019 remains intact, although some faces have changed, and there’s a bit more experience—perhaps reflected in the grey hairs.

New Zealand’s preparation for this cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) might feel incomplete. A rained-out Test against Afghanistan earlier this month means their last Test was played in March, and their last competitive match was in the World Cup in June. Despite this, they remain in a strong position in the WTC standings, currently third with three wins and three losses. However, two Tests in Galle—a venue where they’ve never won—followed by a challenging tour of India, presents a daunting challenge.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has had an unpredictable year. They started strong with victories against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, only to face a disastrous T20 World Cup campaign. However, they bounced back with an excellent ODI series win against India and a redeeming Test win in England. That victory could be crucial as they aim for a spot in the WTC final, with four of their next six Tests at home. Yet, the weather may play a factor, with rain anticipated for the first Test.

Form guide:

- Sri Lanka: WLLWW (last five Tests)

- New Zealand: DLLWW

Players to Watch: Prabath Jayasuriya and Rachin Ravindra

At Galle, Prabath Jayasuriya is a force to be reckoned with. He has played six of his eight home Tests at this venue, collecting a staggering 53 wickets in 12 innings. Half of those innings saw him claim at least five wickets, with only one instance of fewer than three wickets. After missing the England tour, Jayasuriya will be eager to reassert his dominance at home.

Rachin Ravindra, though already established in white-ball cricket, is still in the early stages of his Test career. With a double century under his belt and batting at the crucial number four position, Ravindra is an essential part of New Zealand’s plans. While most of his Tests have been on home soil, his left-arm spin and solid batting fundamentals make him a key player for New Zealand’s subcontinental challenges.