Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2024: Top 3 Players to watch out for in upcoming Test series

Sri Lanka and New Zealand. (Source – Twitter/X)

After their one-off Test against Afghanistan was called off due to continuous rain, New Zealand has now traveled to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, starting September 18. Keeping the World Test Championship points table in mind, the series holds massive importance to the Tim Southee-led side. They would hope to pick up wins in both games against Sri Lanka and also get ready for the marquee series against India, which will begin on October 16.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, were highly impressive in their series against England. They lost the Test series 2-1 but a win in the third match at Kennington Oval boosted their confidence and will be hoping to upset New Zealand in the forthcoming series. Playing at home, the chances for the same are high and most importantly, several of their players are in good form at the moment.

Here are the top three players to watch out for in the SL vs NZ series:

3. Glenn Phillips

Glenn Phillips can prove to be New Zealand’s trump card in the series against Sri Lanka. Earlier in the year, in the series against Bangladesh, he proved to be New Zealand’s most important player on the pitch, scoring 181 runs in two matches and picking up eight wickets. As the conditions in Sri Lanka will turn the spinners again, Phillips can be effective with both bat and ball.

Known for his exploits in T20 cricket, Phillips has done well for himself in the longest format too. In his last Test against Australia, the flamboyant batter made a half-century against Australia and he is also someone who likes to play aggressively, even in Test cricket which can put the hosts under pressure.

That’s what makes him very dangerous and maybe he will have a better season than the veterans like Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell. More than his batting, his bowling will be important for New Zealand in the two-match series.

Also Read – Sri Lanka announce squad for New Zealand series, Oshada Fernando returns, Kasun Rajitha out

2. Kane Williamson

You can’t overlook Kane Williamson, can you? No matter the condition, the opposition or even the format, the former New Zealand captain is expected to succeed. The 34-year-old has been a game-changer for New Zealand over the years and will be hoping to get the job done in Sri Lanka as well.

Williamson has represented the national team in 100 Test matches and has scored 8743 runs at an average of 54.94, which is phenomenal, to say the least. He is an excellent player of spin and that will help the cricketer get adjusted to the conditions quickly. Given that many of the current New Zealand players do not have much experience playing in Sri Lanka, Williamson will be key for the team

He has played four Test matches in Sri Lanka and has scored 187 runs at an average of 26.71. His record in Sri Lanka isn’t very good and he has the golden chance to improve that.

1. Kamindu Mendis

Kamindu Mendis is arguably the most important player in the Sri Lankan team at the moment. He has been exceptional on the recent tour to England, where the middle order batter was adjudged Player of the Series alongside Joe Root.

With the bat, he scored 267 runs in five innings, at an average of 53.40. He finished as the third-leading run-scorer and hit one century and two half-centuries in the series. The 25-year-old has a tremendous record playing at home as well and will be Sri Lanka’s key architect in the series.

After the series against England, interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya confirmed that the cricketer will be promoted in the batting order. If he bats at around four or five, Mendis can prove to be more dangerous and he would hope to contribute again and help Sri Lanka beat New Zealand on their home turf.