The 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand that starts at the P Sara Stadium in Colombo on Thursday has an eerily similar feel about it from their last match between the two sides there seven years ago.
In 2012, Sri Lanka hammered New Zealand by 10 wickets in the first Test in Galle. Last Sunday, the hosts won the first Test in the current series at the same picturesque ground by six wickets to earn 60 points in the new World Test Championship.
Seven years ago, facing defeat in the two-Test series, then New Zealand captain Ross Taylor produced a belligerent 142 and 74 in the second Test, at the P Sara Stadium, to level the series.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said the pitch would again be conducive to spin, which could signal a callup for leg-spinner Todd Astle, who made his Test debut in the match at P Sara in 2012.
The 2012 captain of the New Zealand team Ross Taylor will remember his great inning seven years ago and recall the history.
The 35-year-old Taylor, who scored 86 in New Zealand’s first innings in Galle last week, said while the venue for the second Test had proved fruitful in the past it would likely have little influence on the current match.
“P Sara is a ground that we’ve had some success in the past and hopefully we can replicate that,” Taylor said. “It’s always nice to come back to a ground where you have had some success.
“But at the same time it’s a different game and different circumstances. Being 1-0 down in the series we need to get our first win in the Test championship.
“I’m sure Sri Lanka will be doing their best to stop that.”
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