New Zealand will kick off their 2018-19 home season with a two Tests series against Sri Lanka. The first of two Tests will begin in Wellington tomorrow.
New Zealand is coming from a historic Test series win over Pakistan in UAE and will look to carry their winning momentum into this series. In seam-swing friendly conditions Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner will be their main keys.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka has been going through a rough phase for a long time and are low on confidence after a 3-0 loss to England last month. And it would be an outing for them if they put up a good fight against this inform Kiwi side.
All the major stats and facts ahead of the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka :
1. Head to Head -
| Venue | Tests | Won by NZ | Won by SL | Drawn | Tied |
| New Zealand | 17 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Sri Lanka | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Neutral | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Overall | 32 | 14 | 8 | 10 | 0 |
At Basin Reserve, Wellington
New Zealand : Tests - 61, Won - 18, Lost - 20, Drawn - 23
Sri Lanka : Tests - 5, Won - 1, Lost - 3, Drawn - 1
33 - Tim Southee has taken 33 wickets at an average of 18.60 and at a strike rate of 42.5 in 6 Tests against Sri Lanka.
46 - Dilruwan Perera has taken 46 wickets in Tests this year - the joint-most by any bowler and needs 4 more wickets to become the first bowler to take 50 Test wickets this year. Kagiso Rabada too has taken 46 wickets this year.
91.88 - Kane Williamson's Test batting average against Sri Lanka. He has scored 827 runs at this average in just 6 Tests with 3 hundred and 4 fifties.
150 - Dilruwan Perera (147 wickets) needs 3 more wickets to become the fourth Sri Lankan bowler to take 150 or more wickets in Test cricket.
976 - Ross Taylor has scored 976 Test runs at Basin Reserve Stadium, Wellington and needs 24 more runs to become the fourth New Zealand player to score 1000 Test runs at this venue.
