1st Test
Day-2 Afternoon Session Highlights:
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson has anchored the New Zealand’s fightback
At The Tea of Day-2:
New Zealand scored 136/2 (1st Innings), where as Sri Lanka scored 305 (1st Innings).
So, finally New Zealand trail by 169 runs.
Senior batters Tom Latham and Kane Williamson took charge of New Zealand’s response in the afternoon session on Day 2 in Galle, following Sri Lanka’s dismissal for 305 earlier in the day.
Despite Sri Lanka’s struggles, they managed to break through just before Tea, dismissing Latham as New Zealand reached 136/2 at the interval.
Latham began the session confidently, striking two boundaries off Asitha Fernando—one straight down the ground and the other through square leg.
Asitha also conceded four byes in the same over.
Latham and Devon Conway made steady progress, even as Sri Lanka introduced Dhananjaya de Silva’s off-spin against the two left-handers.
However, Dhananjaya bowled only two overs before handing the ball to Ramesh Mendis, who made an impact in his sixth over.
Mendis trapped Conway with an LBW, successfully overturned on review after the on-field umpire initially ruled not out.
For over an hour, Latham and Williamson steadied New Zealand’s innings.
Williamson, displaying his class, charged Mendis for a six over long-on and followed up with a pull for four.
This forced Mendis to adjust his length and Sri Lanka to rethink their strategies.
The partnership between Latham and Williamson flourished, with Latham particularly effective against the spinners, frequently employing the sweep shot.
However, it was a top-edged sweep against Prabath Jayasuriya that ended Latham’s innings.
The ball popped up off the edge, and substitute fielder Sadeera Samarawickrama made a diving catch at short leg to remove Latham for 70, just before the Tea break.
Leave a Reply