KEY POINTS:
Sri Lanka are willing to front another early assault from the Black Caps' in-form pace attack despite a similar tactic in Christchurch denied them the initiative early in last week's first test.
Sri Lanka arrived in Wellington yesterday in a confident frame of mind even though they had lost the opener to the two-test series by five wickets inside three days at Jade Stadium.
Mahela Jayawardene's decision to bat first on a frisky wicket in overcast conditions arguably backfired as the tourists were rolled for 154 before tea on day one.
New Zealand's batting was a little better but they still managed to eke out a 52-run lead and, aided by another flawed innings by the Sri Lankans, managed to knock off the 119-run victory target.
Jayawardene justified his call, saying it was designed to have spin ace Muttiah Muralitharan bowl last on a wearing pitch, though woeful shot making by both sides ensured the game was over long before it had a chance to break up.
Sri Lankan coach Tom Moody backed his captain and said his side would be happy to roll the dice again at the Basin Reserve on Friday to give Muralitharan an opportunity to square the series.
"Any world class spinner enjoys bowling in the fourth innings, it's where they are at their most dangerous," Moody said.
"The reason we lost in Christchurch wasn't because we called incorrectly. Another 50-plus runs and we'd have won the game.
"Murali would have been a hell of a handful on day four."
However, like his Black Caps' counterpart John Bracewell, former Australian international Moody was more concerned with his batsmen -- particularly after they flopped to 45 for six in the second innings despite the pitch flattening out.
"We realise we've let ourselves down in the batting department. We were short of runs in both innings and we have to continue and adjust to conditions," he said.
The Sri Lankans trained specifically on seaming wickets with new balls in Colombo before they departed, but a much-vaunted top order comprising Sanath Jayasuriya, Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara failed to fire, though the latter made a superb unbeaten century in the second innings.
"We didn't have the discipline and that cost us," Moody said, echoing Bracewell's assessment of his top order.
While Muralitharan spearheaded the Sri Lankan attack, Moody was also happy with the efforts of veteran Chaminda Vaas and new ball partner Lasith Malinga, who also caused problems with his exotic slinging action.
Meanwhile, the first test run-out of Muralitharan is quickly becoming a popular discussion topic in the game, it will not factor in Sri Lanka's build-up.
Moody said Muralitharan's controversial dismissal by Brendon McCullum had been put to bed as far as the tourists were concerned.
"I don't think we need to draw on that to galvanise us. We're a strong, close unit as it is. We don't need any help in that department.
"The bottom line is it's out. It's nice we recognise the spirit of the game, and we felt a little bit disappointed that it wasn't taken into account."
- NZPA
