26 Dec 2018

Black Caps know what to expect from Hagley Oval

5:16 am on 26 December 2018

The New Zealand cricketers know what to expect from a Hagley Oval pitch and say they know it will be more desireable than what they experienced at Wellington's Basin Reserve last week.

New Zealand cricketers 2018

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The second and final test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand starts in Christchurch today following a week of speculation over pitch conditions and what it will provide after a draw against the visitors in the opening test in Wellington.

Batting coach Craig McMillan says the wicket should offer a bit more.

"You know what you going to get at Hagley, it's generally pace and bounce and it's something as a side we're always looking for, it suits the bowlers, suits the batsmen and provides good cricket so hopefully they'll be the ingredients we see over the five days of the Test."

McMillan says while winning the toss and bowling first would be an ideal way to start the Test, they must prepare for both.

"You know there's been plenty of times when we haven't won the toss and had to bat first and that's about getting your head around it and adapting to the conditions and quite often that first sessions crucial and if the suns out and there's a bit of wind about it can actually be a very good batting track later in the day, so it will be challenging for that first session and that will be the key."

Meanwhile according to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, the Sri Lankans are on a bit of a high after managing to bat out the last two days of the first Test and salvage a draw.

"We've got some confidence. Angelo is batting really well and knows how to play in these conditions. Kusal has got runs as well. I'm sure Dimuth and the others will chip in as well."

The Black Caps are likely to stick with the same side that played in the first Test, although there is an outside chance that Matt Henry could replace Neil Wagner.