Match dates, times, squads, TV and streaming information, and more ahead of the two-Test series
New Zealand host Sri Lanka for a two-Test match series which will contribute to the ongoing 2021/23 World Test Championship cycle.
First Test: Thursday, March 09 – Monday, March 13; - Hagley Oval, Christchurch (11am NZDT, 3:30am Sri Lanka Time, 10pm GMT)
Second Test: Friday, March 17 – Tuesday, March 21; - Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington (11am NZDT, 3:30am Sri Lanka Time, 10pm GMT)
It could be argued there is nowhere more beautiful for Test cricket than in New Zealand, where stunning surroundings coupled with spectators sitting on grassy banks around the perimeter making for an idyllic scene.
The rising debate over the future of Test cricket in the country has been tempered by the incredible victory over England in the second Test having been asked to follow on, but the arrival of Sri Lanka poses an altogether different task.
Dimuth Karunaratne's team are third in the ICC World Test Cricket Championship but have not played a Test series since they hosted Pakistan in July 2022. They played four two-match-Test series last year, losing to India, beating Bangladesh and then drawing with Australia and Pakistan, which leaves them in contention for the Kia Oval final in June.
Should Australia win the fourth Test against India then Sri Lanka could deny India a second consecutive final appearance with a 2-0 series victory over the Black Caps.
New Zealand are back in action for the first time since the drama of Wellington (MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Nevertheless, Tim Southee's side are strong favourites despite the fact they sit eighth in the WTC standings, having won just two Tests in the current cycle during their title defence.
This is a big opportunity for Southee to lead his team to a first home Test series win since he took over from Kane Williamson and first since they defeated Pakistan in January 2021. Sri Lanka have not visited for a red-ball series since 2018 when the hosts prevailed 1-0 following a 423-run success in the second Test in Christchurch.
New Zealand have unsurprisingly named an unchanged squad from the second Test against England.
Questions were raised about the team following the defeat in the first Test at Mount Maunganui and the nightmare start to the second at Basin Reserve, but the nature of their dramatic, series-squaring victory means a familiar group will take on Sri Lanka.
The tourists have named a youthful group led by Karunaratne, which also includes ex-skipper Angelo Mathews.
The World Test Championship final is in sight for Sri Lanka (Joe Allison/Getty Images)
This could be a series where one of the young Mendis' emerge. Kamindu and Ramesh Mendis have raised excitement levels in Sri Lanka with their potential so it will be intriguing to see how much action they get away from home.
Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis have both hit form in the lead-up to the all-important series. In the warm-up game against a New Zealand XI, Fernando hit 78 before retiring hurt while Kusal struck 95.
Another player to watch is Nishan Madushka who may receive his maiden international debut in Christchurch. The 23-year-old impressed against the England Lions scoring 241 and 100 for Sri Lanka A and will be hoping to replicate that form in the senior ranks.
New Zealand: Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Scott Kuggeleijn, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson, Will Young
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Oshada Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake
Will Sri Lanka blood Nishan Madushka? (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
New Zealand are the resounding favourites for the first Test. The Kiwis can be backed at 1/4 with Paddy Power while Sri Lanka are 5/1. The draw is 13/2.
The series will be shown live on BT Sport 3 in the UK with coverage starting at 10pm.
Fans in New Zealand can follow the action on Sky Sports.
SuperSport Cricket will be showing the match from 23:50 in South Africa.
Fox Sports are showing the series in Australia.
US fans can find the game on ESPN+.
Further TV details will be confirmed in due course.
Subscribe to The Cricketer for exclusive content every day: The inside track on everything England - including leading coverage of England in India, award-winning analysis, breaking news and interviews and the only place for in-depth county coverage all year round. Plus: An ad-free app experience at your fingertips. Subscribe to thecricketer.com today for just £1.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.