The busy winter of international cricket resumes later this week when New Zealand and Sri Lanka begin a two match Test series which takes us nicely up to Christmas.
New Zealand go into this series off the back of a competitive series against Australia last month while Sri Lanka were giving the West Indies a good hiding at home. I’m not overly sure either will have much relevance going into this series but that is where the intrigue lies.
In most other sport you would want to side with the unit that has winning momentum over the one that doesn’t but that is what makes cricket so special. All conditions are different and it is conditions which dictate how series go over form and momentum.
These two sides met in a two match series in New Zealand over Christmas last year. The Kiwis won 2-0 on that occasion and that is the expected result in this series but England fans will know that if you let them be then Sri Lanka can be dangerous in any conditions.
New Zealand were beaten badly by Australia in the first Test of that series last month but in fairness they defied expectation in the second game at Perth before narrowly being beaten in Adelaide in the final match.
Sri Lanka eased to a 2-0 win over the West Indies a couple of months or so ago in spin friendly conditions but they face much tougher conditions and a much better side here so we are going to need to see an improvement from them if they are to claim anything from this series.
Two match series need sides to be bang on it right from the start if they are to claim the series. Even one bad session can leave you chasing the series so these are the toughest series to play in mentally if not physically.
I fear a little for Sri Lanka in this series. I’m not convinced they have the batting to cope in this series but I worry even more about their bowling attack. Take Rangana Herath out and there isn’t really a danger in the attack and I wouldn’t think these conditions will suit Herath too much.
Invariably when deciding how this series will go I think we can safely think New Zealand will win the series it is just whether Sri Lanka can hold on for a draw in either of them but in swinging conditions I’m not convinced they will.
You can get 13/8 on New Zealand winning the series 2-0 and I think that is the safest correct score bet ahead of the two matches beginning.
Another bet I’m interested in is the Top New Zealand Series Bowler market where Trent Boult and Tim Southee are obvious favourites to land the spoils. Boult wasn’t at his best in the Australia series but he finished it with a morale boosting five wicket haul.
Tim Southee has been having back problems in recent times so that would be a concern for anyone backing him and while Doug Bracewell is a competent third seamer I fancy this to be won by one of the new ball bowlers and given Southee’s fitness issues Boult looks the safer bet.
Back New Zealand to win Test Series 2-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.63 with Bet365
Back T.Boult Top New Zealand Series Bowler for a 3/10 stake at 3.00 with William Hill
