Sri Lanka frustrated by green Hamilton wicket

Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Jerome Jayaratne has expressed his concerns that the wicket for the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton will massively favour the hosts.

The tourists had hoped for more favourable conditions on the North Island after losing the opening match of the series by 122 runs in Dunedin.

Hamilton’s last Test saw West Indies spinner Sunil Narine take 6-91, however, on arrival at Seddon Park Jayaratne was surprised to see a track covered in grass, something that should help New Zealand’s seamers more than Sri Lanka’s spinners.

“My intelligence tells me that it has been known to take spin as the game goes on,” Jayaratne said.

“But I am assuming here that the wicket has been doctored to suit the New Zealanders, which is understandable. There is more than 18 millimetres of grass on the wicket.

“I think this pitch will have a lot more bounce and carry than the one in Dunedin. They’re looking for a lot of moisture and sideways movement.

“I think it will be different from the Hamilton wickets before. As the game goes on, it might slow down, but for now there’s a lot of grass on the track.”