The first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh begins in Galle on Tuesday with all eyes being on the match to see just how much improvement Bangladesh continue to make and whether Sri Lanka can get back to the world force they once were. It is an intriguing match in so many ways.
Sri Lanka
I don’t think we can take too much from Sri Lanka’s series defeat to South Africa in their most recent outings. I think more can be taken from their matches in Zimbabwe which suggests they can still defeat countries inferior to them and that is very much the message they will be aiming to deliver this week.
Back in their own conditions they should be even stronger. They showed that against Australia last year but Australia were horrible in that series and I suspect Bangladesh could be harder to defeat. They will certainly be harder to bowl out with their batsmen much more at home in these conditions than Australia’s were.
Bangladesh
We’ve seen significant improvement in Bangladesh in recent times. The bulk of that improvement has probably come in the 50 over environment but they have drawn a series with England, looked competitive in New Zealand and given India a game so far this winter so writing them off ahead of this match should be done lightly.
One of the reasons for the extra competitiveness in this Bangladesh side has been their batting which looks really strong now and if their young bowling attack can retain their discipline throughout then the Tigers could pull off an upset here. They are no longer the forlorn hope they once were.
Team News
Rangana Herath has confirmed that Niroshan Dickwella will keep wicket for the home side so he will definitely play. Upul Tharanga is expected to move up to open the batting.
Bangladesh are bringing Liton Das in to keep wicket to free up Mushfiqur Rahim a little. The make up of their side hasn’t been confirmed yet but we do know that Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed will be two seamers.
Galle International Stadium
This will be the 29th Test match to be held on this ground. Sri Lanka are pretty strong here with 16 wins from the 28 matches already played here. They have lost six and there have been six draws too. One of those draws was against Bangladesh on their only visit to this ground.
You have to go back seven matches to the last time there was a draw on this ground. This isn’t the highest scoring ground in the world though so the bowlers may well fancy their chances more than when these two last met at this venue.
Betting
I’m tempted to get involved in Bangladesh in some way but I like what Sri Lanka are doing too so in the end I’ve given the match betting a miss but there are a couple of batting bets that I like for this match.
I’ve always been a fan of Mushfiqur Rahim and I think losing the gloves will take him to the next level as a batsman although in fairness the level he is at is pretty good. He has centuries in his last two Test matches against New Zealand and India and will arrive in Sri Lanka in decent form. In Bangladesh’s only previous visit here four years ago Rahim made 200 so he can bat here and a first innings runs line of 25.5 looks very much on the low side.
Dinesh Chandimal warmed up for this match in the ideal way with a huge 190* in Bangladesh’s warm up match for this series. The keeper batsman has a lot to prove with his place in the one day and 20 over formats under threat and he needs a big couple of matches as much for his own confidence as the one the selectors have in him. Three of his seven Test centuries have come on this ground including against Bangladesh four years ago. He’s overpriced to pass 50 in the first innings.
Tips
WON – Back M.Rahim Over 25.5 first innings runs for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Ladbrokes
Back D.Chandimal first innings 50 for a 3/10 stake at 2.63 with Ladbrokes
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