‘Every run you get in the first innings is very important’ – Gary Stead discusses key points on eve of second SL Test

Gary Stead (Source – Getty Images)

Batting first after winning the toss in a Test match at the Galle International Stadium is a sureshot norm that teams have followed since the past generation. While it may be done to make full use of the batting conditions, the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand signified just the opposite – to not get the wrong end of the stick.

Head coach of New Zealand, Gary Stead, noted the discrepancy in the nature of the track offered to both sides and hinted at a useful ploy both the teams should follow in order to gain an upper hand in the game.

Setting the tone is really important, and all the players know that: Kandamby

Stead’s sentiments were reverberated by the batting coach of Sri Lanka, Thilina Kandamby, as the main ideology he focused was on starting off brightly – be it with bat or ball.

“Setting the tone is key in Test cricket, even with the ball. In Manchester also, if you remember, we had a really bad day starting with the bowling. Then, we recovered really well. That’s the positive part of it, whether it comes to bowling or batting – our recovery is really good. But setting the tone is really important, and all the players know that,” mentioned Kandamby.

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With the second Test being played at the same venue, the track could be expected to soften up sooner than usual as well as there being quite a bit of turn on offer for the spinners from both sides.

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