NZ vs SL: Tim Southee exudes confidence ahead of two-match Test series

After tasting a thrilling triumph against England at the Basin Reserve last month, New Zealand skipper Tim Southee is looking confident ahead of the two-match Test assignment against Sri Lanka at home. The result of the New Zealand-Srilanka series is crucial for India too as it is a part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, and Sri Lanka still have a chance to qualify for the final.

However, the Dimuth Karunaratne-led side has to win both games against the hosts to reach the decider to be played from June 7 to 11, 2023, at the Oval, London. 

On the other side, Southee, who got the leadership mantle in December 2022 following Kane Williamson’s resignation, will look to deliver the first series win to his team under his captaincy. Last month, after the humiliating loss at the hands of England in the first Test at Bay Oval, the Black Caps beat the visitors by 1 run in the second Test and snatched an incredible victory from the jaws of defeat.

With the win, New Zealand also succeeded in levelling the series by a 1-1 margin. In the upcoming two Test matches against Sri Lanka, the hosts will strive to carry the momentum and spoil the visitors' plans to appear in the WTC final against Australia in the month of June.

Talking about their last month’s win against England and preparations for the upcoming home series, the Kiwi skipper Southee said, "It has been great to have the amount of people who have been talking about Test cricket, to see the Basin Reserve filled for five days was great to be a part of," Southee said as quoted by India Today.

Now our focus will shift to Sri Lanka: Tim Southee

"I think, just in general, the guys are pleased to see people talking about Test cricket. And Test cricket is exciting. England have played their part in that, over the last year or so. The guys still see Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game.

"It is a match that will be talked about for a long time, but they are a very humble group. Now our focus will shift to Sri Lanka.

"We are obviously out of the Test Championship, and they have got plenty to play for over the next two weeks," he added.

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