Sri Lanka to host New Zealand in six-day Test match
What's the story
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has revealed the schedule for the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. Both matches will be held at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS), with the first game commencing on September 18. This opening match will span six days, a departure from traditional five-day Tests. The second and final Test is set to begin on September 26. Here's more.
Election break
Presidential elections prompt rest day in Test match
The SLC has confirmed that the first Test match will include a rest day due to the Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka. The official statement from SLC read, "September 21 will be a rest day of the 1st Test Match owing to the Presidential Election of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka." This means that there won't be any action on Day 4 of this particular game.
Information
A look at the series schedule
The first Test will be held from September 18-23 in Galle. The second Test will also take place at the same venue, from September 26-30.
Test history
Six-day Tests: A rare occurrence in modern cricket
Six-day Tests, including a rest day, were common in the last century with many matches in England following this format. However, it's been over two decades since Sri Lanka last hosted a six-day Test. Their previous such match was against Zimbabwe in Colombo in 2001, which also included a rest day due to Poya Day (full moon) celebrations. The most recent instance of a Test with a rest day was in Dhaka in 2008 when Bangladesh played Sri Lanka.
Championship context
Test series part of ICC World Test Championship cycle
The upcoming matches between Sri Lanka and New Zealand are part of the ICC World Test Championship Cycle of 2023-2025. Currently, Sri Lanka and New Zealand hold third and fourth positions respectively in the World Test Championship standings. The last time New Zealand toured Sri Lanka was in August 2019, when they drew a two-match Test series with the hosts.