BJ Watling: Extra bounce and carry will test the Sri Lanka u

New Zealand wicket-keeper-batsman, BJ Watling, appeared confident at the media briefing ahead of the first Test between the hosts and Sri Lanka, beginning on Boxing Day. Watling on his part, relished at the prospect of attacking the visitors with a refreshed Tim Southee and Trent Boult, on a green-top, at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

"If the pitch has a bit more bounce and carry then, we can really test the Sri Lankan team. Hopefully, it's swinging around as well," Watling said. He also added that the able duo, rested for the ODI tour against Pakistan, were in prime form ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests. "I just watched them demolish Wellington last week and that was good fun. So, hopefully, the conditions are similar." Boult and Southee took seven wickets each in Northern Districts' 395-run win against Wellington.

Watling credited Boult and Southee's recent success to their hard work and fitness. "I think confidence comes into it too. They've obviously bowled well for a while now and they're learning their way in Test cricket. They're learning when it's best to be patient and when to be aggressive," he said.

The confidence factor, is not limited to just Boult and Southee. New Zealand have had a very good 15 months in international cricket, having not lost any of their last five Test series, beating West Indies home and away, beating India at home last summer, while picking up away draws against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Most recently, their ODI team won a tightly fought series against Pakistan in UAE.

"The one-day boys had a great series win and to draw the Test series and coming away with a Test win, the boys are pretty confident. Everyone knows their roles in the team now. Even the likes of guys like Mark Craig who's only played six games, but he knows what's expected of him," Watling.

Watling, however, added that Sri Lanka can't be termed as push overs, especially after they won the Test series in England in July. "I watched that win in England and they played some very good cricket. It's always going to be a challenge for us as they're a strong team. Hopefully, in our conditions, we can put them under a lot of pressure and do the things we do, well. They obviously have a slightly younger team after (Mahela) Jayawardene's retirement, but they've got some young guys and it's probably their time to step up now."

Meanwhile, Test cricket returns to Christchurch after nine years, the last match also featured Sri Lanka and New Zealand, in 2006. New Zealand batting coach, Craig McMillan opined that the 'green' wicket will favour the quicks and hinted at a four-prong seam attack. However, he also added that the presence of many left-handers in the Sri Lankan line-up could tempt the management to include in-form off-spinner, Craig.

"The fast bowlers have certainly got a smile on their faces. Now, coming from the UAE, where there was no bounce and the ball turned, we're going to turn up here where there's going to be seam and swing, plus some extra bounce," McMillan was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

"Everyone is pretty excited about this Boxing Day. There's been a lot of hype around it, so it's going to be a special occasion," McMillan summed up.