Second Test preview: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

Cricket365
March 15, 2013

The first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle was a glut of runs for little reward as it ended in a draw, but the second fixture in Colombo hopes to be a slightly more exciting affair, and less punishing for the bowlers.

There were no less than eight centuries in that match, two for Kumar Sangakkara alone, and scoring anything less than a fifty was considered a failure on a track that resembled a tar road for ease of batting.

The curator for this second Test has promised a more even contest this time round though, with the R Premadasa Stadium hosting only its seventh Test, and first since 2010. Sangakkara has the best record here of the current players, so will be looking to add yet another ton.

There aren't many injury concerns to think about for either side, though Bangladesh are still waiting on the fitness of batsman Tamim Iqbal, who was forced to miss the first Test with a wrist injury.

Key Men For Sri Lanka, the obvious answer is Kumar Sangakkara, who has a century at this ground and played the Tigers' bowlers like they were Country second-stringers.

Bangladesh will look to Sohag Gazi to counter the Sri Lankan batsmen, with the young spinner proving to be one of the few who could take them on in Galle. He took three of the four wickets in the first innings, and will hope for more here.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results 2013: Match drawn in Galle 2009: Second Test: Sri Lanka won by 465 runs in Chittagong 2008: First Test: Sri Lanka won by 107 runs in Dhaka 2007: Third Test: Sri Lanka won by an innings and 193 runs in Kandy 2007: Second Test: Sri Lanka won by an innings and 90 runs in Colombo

Prediction Online betting firm <a href='http://www.skybet.com/cricket' target='_blank' class='instorylink'>Sky Bet</a> have Sri Lanka at 4/9 and Bangladesh at 10/1 in the odds to win the second Test. Visit Sky Bet for the latest cricket <a href='http://www.skybet.com/cricket' target='_blank' class='instorylink'>betting</a>.

More <a href='http://https://twitter.com/bet365' target='_blank' class='instorylink'>cricket bets here.</a>

Probable Teams Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Kithuruwan Vithanagem, Dinesh Chandimal (wicketkeeper), Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews (captain), Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Chanaka Welegedara.

Bangladesh: Jahurul Islam, Tamim Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Mominul Haque, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (captain, wicketkepeer), Nasir Hossain, Sohag Gazi, Abul Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Elias Sunny.

Dates: 16-20 March Morning session: 10:00-12:00 (04:30-06:30 GMT) Afternoon session: 12:40-14:40 (07:10-09:10 GMT) Evening session: 15:00-17:00 (09:30-11:30 GMT)