Fringe cricketers will be looking to impress

Test likely to be interrupted by rain:

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE reporting from Galle

The First of Two Test matches between New Zealand and Sri Lanka beginning at the Galle International Stadium today will be important to the cricketers looking to the nod the selectors for a flight to Australia for the Test series.

While the majority of cricketers have already booked their flight, it is the cricketers on the fringe who will be looking to catch the eye of the selectors who will be keenly watching how they go against the Kiwis.

Having said that, at the time of writing report there has been rain in Galle and there could be interruptions to the Test. If the Test matches are also ruined by rain it could be sad.

Wicket covered

According to former Sri Lanka off cutter and now curator at the Galle Stadium, Jayananda Warnaweera, the wicket which has been kept covered will have early life on it because of the moisture and should play easy as the Test unwinds.

However it is advantageous to take first strike. The wicket is going to turn spin friendly and it could be a struggle for the side batting second. So the winning of the toss could prove important.

The side batting first must endeavour to make a big score so that they would not have to bat a second time. A victory by innings should be bottom line. Both teams have the men who could help do this.

Longer version

For Sri Lanka Tharanga Paranvithana, Prasanna Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera return for the longer version of the game and will bolster the side with their batting. Sri Lanka opening batsman T.M. Dilshan is suffering from the back injury he suffered during the ODI Series and will not be considered for selection for the first Test. Dimuth Karunarathne, an uncapped left handed opener has been drafted into the squad as cover for Dilshan. Paranavithana will partner Karunarathne.

One drop Kumara Sangakkara, Skipper Mahela Jayawardene and Angelo Mathews have played a surfeit of one-day cricket and will have to tune in to a different approach of batting.

Bowling line up

While the batsmen - Paranavithana, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews and Prasanna Jayewardene pick themselves, it will be interesting to watch how the bowlers will line up.

The new ball could go to left arm seam bowler Chanaka Welegedera. Who will share it with him will be the question? It will either be Nuwan Kulesekera or Dhammika Prasad. With the wicket known to favour spin towards the end Sri Lanka could decide to go in with the left arm/right am spin of Rangana Herath and Suraj Randiv. Herath has bowled well on that wicket and could again prove to be a threat.

Promising off spinner

The selectors could also have the young and promising off spinner Tharindu Kaushal in the frame when deciding on the playing eleven. The purpose of slotting him in was to give him the feel of what big time cricket is by moving with the stars.

This is all speculation. The final eleven will be picked only after a having a look at the conditions and the wicket. But the Sri Lankan selectors will line up a match winning combination.

As for the Kiwis, they will be doing their utmost to try and at least win the Test series and make amends for the one day defeats.

Skipper Ross Taylor who has been in good batting form will motivate his men.