New Zealand, who are set to undertake a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka later this month as part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, will seek to taste a red ball series success in the island nation after a lapse of some four decades.

A perusal of head-to-head statistics between the two teams has revealed that the Black Caps – who were then mostly known as the Kiwis – have prevailed only once in a Test series here in the 1983/’84 season.

The New Zealanders, who made their maiden visit to this country under Geoff Howarth and possessed the likes of legends of the game such as Sir Richard Hadlee, John Reid, the late Martin Crowe, Jeff Crowe, and John Bracewell to mention a few, blanked their hosts 2-0.

In that series, the Lankans were captained by Duleep Mendis. Among those who subsequently became household names from that side were Sidath Wettimuny, Roy Dias, Arjuna Ranatunga, Ravi Ratnayake, D.S. de Silva, the late Guy de Alwis, and Vinothen John.    

Weight of history

Since then, the tourists, who will no doubt carry the weight of history during the upcoming tour, have played 15 Tests overall on Lankan soil.

Of those, they have lost seven while winning five and drawing the rest for a modest record which will likely not bode well for them.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has also somewhat struggled to put away the Black Caps in their own backyard during the past decade, being forced to draw the last two rubbers in 2012 and in 2019, respectively.

They last registered a red ball series success against the visitors 15 years ago when they swept a two-Test series under Kumar Sangakkara, with the Kiwis led by their highest Test wicket-taker – bespectacled slow-left arm spinner Daniel Vettori.

Lone survivor

Notably, former Captain Angelo Mathews continues to be the lone survivor for Sri Lanka from that series, with two other former stars, namely opening batter Tharanga Paranavitana and mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis being members of the current selection panel.

The sole venue for the forthcoming Test series (Galle International Stadium) continues to be a happy hunting ground for the home team, having won all four games played there since 1998 against the Kiwis.

As such, Tim Southee’s men will have their task cut out for them as they strive to accumulate vital WTC points and qualify for next year’s final at Lord’s.

However, at the same time, they will need to be in a buoyant frame of mind ahead of another challenge awaiting them in neighbouring India soon after.