Black Caps batter Kane Williamson is dismissed on day four of the first cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Galle. Photo: SL Cricket/Photosport
Winless in Galle since their first visit in 1998, the Black Caps have another crack at breaking the hoodoo this afternoon in their second test against Sri Lanka.
New Zealand went down in the first match by 63 runs, though have the luxury of not travelling between tests, with the return match also to be played at Galle International Stadium.
Rachin Ravindra, who almost brought his side home with a fourth innings 92, said it was a huge bonus for the Black Caps to be staying put.
"A couple of days to be in the spot to relax, acclimatise the conditions, the weather, hotel, training facilities, just those little things which stack up."
With the extra time to settle, the pitch should offer few surprises for the tourists.
"You know what to expect in terms of the game wicket. and I think that helps massively. so that means hopefully we'll be able to similar game plans, you know, they can translate to the next game too," Ravindra said.
The Black Caps have lost all five of their tests in Galle.
Coach Gary Stead said his side showed plenty of grit throughout the opener.
"We never want to lose test matches, but we were probably one partnership away form the match looking different."
Stead said for the most part, all five days were closely contested.
"There were just some small moments that changed the course of the test."
He particularly lamented their failure to build a more substantial first innings lead after the foundation had been laid.
However, Stead said it would be dangerous to make wholesale changes.
With such spin friendly conditions, Stead said he had to find the right balance between his spinners and seamers.
Paceman Will O'Rourke and offspinner Ajaz Patel both took six wickets in the first and second innings respectively, proving either can be effective in the Galle conditions.
"We were very pleased Will got some life out of that wicket that others didn't seem to get."
One player under serious pressure is opener Devon Conway, who has now gone 10 innings without a half century, which has seen his average dip below 40.
But Stead has indicated he will not be swinging the axe.
"We have a squad that is determined to come away from this series with some World Test Championship points. We will go out there expecting to play our best cricket and we will be better for the run we had last week."
New Zealand sits fourth on the WTC table, 7.25 points below Sri Lanka.
The Kiwis will next take on India in India, who sit at the top with 71.67, nearly ten clear of Australia.
Black Caps vs Sri Lanka second test
26-30 September
Galle International Stadium
First ball - 4.30pm
New Zealand bowler Will O'Rourke in action against Sri Lanka in Galle, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT