Spin to play key role in 2nd Sri Lanka-Australia Test
What's the story
The second Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia will be played on a much drier pitch than the one used for their first encounter.
This is mainly because the intense heat has baked the pitch since Saturday after the first match ended.
Meanwhile, the change in conditions could favor spin bowling, a strength Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva acknowledged.
Speaking of the pitch de Silva stated, "I'm hoping it will turn more in this match."
Here's more.
Game plan
Sri Lanka's strategy for 2nd Test
Sri Lanka are hoping to avoid a repeat of Australia's mammoth 654/6 declared, which they posted in the first Test.
To gain the upper hand, the hosts are banking on their spin bowling.
"Our strength is spin," de Silva said during a press conference. "If you look through the history in Galle, a lot of spinners have been among the wickets, and hopefully ours can be effective."
Counter strategy
Australia's adaptation to spinning conditions
However, Australia have also proved to be adaptable in spinning conditions.
In the first Test, the Aussies' spin attack of Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, and Todd Murphy collectively claimed 17 wickets.
Meanwhile, the team prepared for both "extreme" and flatter surfaces, aided by a week-long training camp in Dubai.
Additionally, skipper Steve Smith revealed that Australia partly modeled their strategy on India's spin blueprint for success in Asia.
Expectations
Smith's views on upcoming Test
Smith expects the dry surface to assist spin. "Looks a very dry surface and I dare say it will take a reasonable amount of spin," he said.
He then added, " "In these conditions, it's great to have more than two options of guys who can take wickets and build pressure.
Additionally, Smith highlighted that Australia's batting against spin has significantly improved since their 2016 Sri Lanka tour.
Batting test
Sri Lanka's batting challenge in 2nd Test
Following a crushing defeat by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test, Sri Lanka face the challenge of showcasing their batting skills on spin-friendly conditions.
"In the first Test, a lot of our batters got starts but didn't carry on," de Silva said, talking about how the batters got a good start but could not score big.
"During the match and afterwards, what we'd talked about was that someone has to make 150 or 200," he added.
First Test recap
Australia trounce Sri Lanka in first Test
Australia recorded a massive innings triumph in the first Test against SL.
In response to Australia's first innings score of 654/6d, SL could only manage 165 and 247 in their two innings.
Usman Khawaja, Smith, and Josh Inglis slammed tons for the Aussies.
The Lankans lost 15 wickets on Day 4 thanks to the spin duo of Kuhnemann and Lyon.
For SL Dinesh Chandimal (72) and Jeffrey Vandersay (53) stood tall in the first and second innings respectively.