Sri Lankan bowlers left stranded in Kiwi run-fest

New Zealand put on a brilliant batting display, scoring 311 runs for the loss of just 2 wickets, today, the 2^nd day’s play of the 1^st Test against Sri Lanka in reply to the 282 runs made by the visitors. The match is being played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Day 1 Report –  Mathews, Karunaratne & Dickwella star in Sri Lanka’s fighting upturn

Having fought back themselves out of trouble yesterday, Sri Lanka added just 7 runs to their overnight score of 275/9 as they lost last man Lahiru Kumara early in the day. Kumara was Tim Southee’s 6^th scalp as Colin de Grandhomme fielding at leg gully snatched a smart catch off a thick inside edge.

Niroshan Dickwella on the other end was left stranded on 80 having scored all the 7 runs to be scored during the short play. He looked in the same touch he was yesterday as he unleashed his cheeky scoop to earn a boundary.

With a modest first innings score for Sri Lanka, Suranga Lakmal almost produced an ideal start. The last ball of Lakmal’s opening over which bounced off the deck could have been an easy catch, if a short-leg fielder had been placed. Reacting soon, Dinesh Chandimal placed himself at short-leg with the helmet on, for the next over which was bowled by Kasun Rajitha. Later on in the day, Sri Lanka’s specialist close-in fielder, Kusal Mendis was placed at short-leg.

Apart from that missed chance there was nothing created by the Sri Lankans, which paved the way for the Kiwi opening pair of, Tom Latham and Jeet Rawal see off the new ball and lay the foundation for a big score.

Interestingly, Sri Lanka’s fastest bowler Lahiru Kumara was not introduced until the 16^th over was bowled. Being introduced to the attack with two settled batsmen at the crease and a 16-over old ball in hand, Lahiru Kumara impressed with pace and bounce as he straight away created a rare chance. A quick delivery which hurried Jeet Raval hit his glove and fell just short of a charging Niroshan Dickwella. Dinesh Chandimal, even tried out Dilruwan Perera before giving Kumara a go.

Read –How can Sri Lanka conquer the Black Caps?

Former skipper Angelo Mathews bowled his gentle medium pace in international cricket after more than a year. His short spell of 4 overs apparently was threatening and didn’t seem like a bowler bowling in international cricket after a sometime.

Heading towards lunch Lahiru Kumara struck for Sri Lanka with Jeet Raval’s wicket in the last ball before lunch. Raval having batted so well before that edged a quick short ball by Kumara to wicket keeper Dickwella as his knock of 43 came to an end.

The middle session was simply dominated by the hosts. Mr. Consistent, Captain Kane Williamson together with Tom Latham just whipped away the Sri Lanka bowlers with ease as the wicket gradually turned to be a belter of a track.

Williamson started off his innings with 3 back to back boundaries to Sri Lanka’s best bowler Lahiru Kumara to take away whatever momentum Sri Lanka gained just before lunch. Lahiru Kumara showing his character came back strong after that beating by Williamson to keep troubling the Kiwi duo throughout the session. Apart from Kumara none of the Sri Lankan bowlers seemed to be in a good rhythm although they had their moments quite rarely.

One moment was when Sri Lanka reviewed for a LBW against Tom Latham off a Kasun Rajitha delivery. Unluckily the ball was pitching outside the line by a fraction of an inch, resulting in a lost review for Sri Lanka.

Going out for tea New Zealand were well on top with 175 runs on the board. Both batsmen had surpassed the 50-run mark by then and were in solid touch.

Cometh the last session Dinesh Chandimal having tried out all his frontline bowling option opting to give a go to part-time spinner Dhananjaya de Silva. De Silva produced the much needed breakthrough as he dismissed Kane Williamson for 91.

Williamson who is going through a purple patch stroked 10 elegant boundaries in his 93-ball knock of 91. After playing some magnificent shots Williamson literally threw his wicket away sweeping the ball straight to Kasun Rajitha at backward square-leg.

Sri Lanka even after breaking the dangerous 162-run 2^nd wicket partnership didn’t seem to be a threat to the Kiwi batsmen. Latham joined by former skipper Ross Taylor just continued to dominate the modest Lankan bowlers.

With just 28 runs behind Sri Lanka, Tom Latham edged a wide delivery by Suranga Lakmal which was dropped by Dhananjaya de Silva, diving fully stretched. Latham was on 92 and could have been another wicket in the 90s for New Zealand. Unfortunately for Sri Lanka it was not happen as De Silva failed to hang on to it.

Latham reached his 7^th Test century with the help of an over-throw which also brought the 50 partnership between him and Ross Taylor for the 3^rd wicket.

Sri Lanka having bowled with a comparatively slow over-rate throughout the day, trying out various strategies to pick up wickets, seemed to be in rush since the end of the 72^nd over as they sent 8 quick and quiet overs with the two spinners Dilrwuan Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva. During this period New Zealand were able to surpass Sri Lanka’s first innings score and gain the all-important 1^st innings lead.

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The last 4 overs of the day, which Sri Lanka bowled with the second new ball, was well negotiated by the Kiwi duo as they took their score pass the 300-mark. In the last over of the day Ross Taylor too reached his half-century making the day completely New Zealand’s.