1st Test
Day-2 Evening Session Highlights:
New Zealand has reduced the deficit with fifties from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson
At The Stumps of Day-2:
New Zealand scored 255/4 (1st Innings), where as Sri Lanka scored 305 (1st Innings).
So, finally New Zealand trail by 50 runs.
After William O’Rourke’s five-wicket haul restricted Sri Lanka to 305 in the morning session, fifties from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson helped New Zealand narrow their deficit to double digits by the close of play on Day 2 in Galle.
Though Sri Lanka managed to dismiss both Latham and Williamson, New Zealand continued to build momentum through solid contributions from Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.
In a rain-interrupted morning session, Sri Lanka added just three runs to their overnight total of 302/7 as Ajaz Patel and O’Rourke quickly wrapped up the tail.
However, little action was possible due to the frequent stoppages.
After an early Lunch, New Zealand began to establish their innings through successive partnerships, starting with a 63-run stand between Latham and Devon Conway.
Latham opened with two boundaries in a single over off Asitha Fernando, but the opening pair made steady progress as Dhananjaya de Silva rotated his bowlers.
The breakthrough came when Ramesh Mendis trapped Conway leg before, following a successful review by Sri Lanka.
For much of the second session, Latham and Williamson steadily pushed New Zealand forward.
After drinks, Williamson launched a counter-attack, smashing Mendis for a six over long-on and following it up with a four.
His aggressive approach forced Sri Lanka to rethink their strategy.
Latham, after a well-played innings, was eventually dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya when he top-edged a sweep to substitute fielder Sadeera Samarawickrama, ending a 73-run partnership.
Following Tea, New Zealand continued to build partnerships.
Williamson was joined by the enterprising Ravindra, forming a left-right combination that kept Sri Lanka’s bowlers on their toes.
Ravindra overcame a shaky start to play a swift cameo of 39 from 48 balls, while Williamson notched his 35th Test fifty.
However, a sharp bowling change from Dhananjaya de Silva proved effective.
De Silva, exploiting a rough patch outside leg stump, bowled a delivery that spun away, leading to an edge from Williamson, which Kusal Mendis caught brilliantly with a diving effort.
Two overs later, Ravindra also fell victim to Dhananjaya’s bowling, leaving New Zealand in need of consolidation.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell stepped up to steady the innings, with Mitchell playing aggressively, hitting Dhananjaya for a four and a six, while Blundell was more watchful.
Their undefeated 59-run stand saw New Zealand reach Stumps in a strong position, just 50 runs short of Sri Lanka’s total.
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