NZ vs SL Head to Head
New Zealand and Sri Lanka have played 32 test matches against each other. 14 of those have been won by the former and 8 by the latter with the rest all having ended in draws.
At the Basin Reserve, the two countries have faced each other five times in the longest format with the hosts leading the scoreline 3-1.
New Zealand emerged victorious by 193 runs when they last played a test match against Sri Lanka at this venue in January 2015.
Matches Played: 32; New Zealand Won: 14; Sri Lanka Won: 8: Draw: 10
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Betting Odds
New Zealand begin as overwhelming favorites amongst the bookmakers to win this opening test match. The hosts are being offered at extremely short odds of 1.34 on Betfair and 1.30 on both Betway and Bet365. Sri Lanka find themselves as distant outsiders at a much higher price of 8.40 on Betfair and 7 on both Betway and Bet365. The odds for this game to end in a draw stand at 6 on Betway, 6.50 on Bet365 and 7.20 on Betfair.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Prediction
New Zealand are coming on the back of a 2-1 series win over Pakistan in the UAE while Sri Lanka suffered a whitewash in the recent three-match test series against England at home. The latter, after such a drubbing and that too on their home soil, will definitely be down on confidence. The Kiwis have the advantage of playing in their own conditions and they are a tough side to beat at home in this format. They have been faring pretty well at the Basin Reserve, winning four and losing just two of their last seven test matches here. New Zealand also have the upper hand in the fact that they have beaten Sri Lanka in each of their previous five test encounters. The visitors are likely to struggle with the bat against a hostile pace attack which is another reason why we predict the hosts to win the series opener.
Final Verdict: Back New Zealand to beat Sri Lanka in the first test at 1.34 on Betfair and 1.30 on both Betway and Bet365.
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