And Sri Lankan coach John Dyson said that could work to his side's advantage, despite the turmoil in their ranks with their one warm-up match washed out and the distraction of having the Colombo government dissolving the Sri Lanka Cricket board.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming "would be feeling the pressure of not having a great series against the Aussies, but he's not alone. There are a number of them that had very ordinary series, so I think there's pressure on all of them."

In addition to a feeling of despondency after being whipped by Australia, New Zealand have suffered a further setback with ace spinner Daniel Vettori ruled out through injury, but there remain several factors in their favour.

Sri Lanka are without their spin magician Muttiah Muralitharan and useful pacemen Nuwan Zoysa and Dilhara Fernando -- all out with injury -- and haven't played a Test since last October when they drew a series 1-1 in Pakistan.

After losing the first one-dayer to New Zealand on Boxing Day, the tsunami tragedy saw that tour postponed, and this Test series will be their first international matches since.

The sport is in chaos in Sri Lanka with the cricket board recently dissolved by the government for the third time in six years, and the Sri Lankan batsmen were all denied an innings in the washed-out tour opener.

While Fleming has talked up the tourists he has added cautious optimism for his under-strength bowling attack.

TEAMS
NEW ZEALAND: Stephen Fleming (captain), James Marshall, Craig Cumming, Hamish Marshall, Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, James Franklin, Paul Wiseman, Chris Martin.

SRI LANKA (from): Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Samaraweera, Shantha Kalavithigoda, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasitha Malinga, Ruchira Perera, Rangana Herath.

Umpires: Darrell Hair (Australia) and Steve Bucknor (West Indies).