Kiwis respectful about Sri Lanka threat

New Zealand

Although New Zealand are overwhelming favourites to beat Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series, starting in Dunedin on Thursday, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum says his team will not take the Asian side lightly.

Sri Lanka bring a very inexperienced side to New Zealand, with only seven of the visiting squad having been on a previous tour to play the Kiwis.

The Asian side played the Black Caps away from home at the same time last year, but the side had the legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara in their ranks.

MCullum also pinpointed the tourists bowling attack, saying they will be a major threat to the New Zealand batsmen.

The Black Caps skipper said: "I think Sri Lanka's fast-bowling stocks are pretty underrated to be honest. They've got some very high quality seam bowlers within their ranks – albeit inexperienced.

"They've gone through a lot of changes. When you lose guys like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, there's going to be a period where they need to adjust and adapt to new guys starting their careers.

"We're very respectful of the challenge that these guys will put to us."

The Test in Dunedin will be followed by the final game in the series at Seddon Park in Hamilton, starting on 18 December.

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