Wed Sep 18 07:12:44 UTC 2024: ## Sri Lanka Wins Toss, Elects to Bat in First Test Against New Zealand
**Galle, Sri Lanka -** Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening test match against New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, September 18th.
Both teams opted for a spin-heavy bowling attack, with Sri Lanka fielding left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and off-spinner Ramesh Mendis. New Zealand countered with left-arm specialists Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner.
This marks New Zealand’s first test match in six months, following a washed-out warm-up match against Afghanistan in India. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, is coming off a three-match test series in England, where they lost 2-1.
**Sri Lanka’s Playing XI:** Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.
**New Zealand’s Playing XI:** Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee (captain), Ajaz Patel, Will O’Rourke.
First Piper 