Rachin Ravindra bats against Sri Lanka's spinners as New Zealand faces a daunting chase in the 1st Test of the 2024 series. Sri Lankan players in close fielding positions, applying pressure under the evening Galle sun.

New Zealand versus Sri Lanka Test Series, 2024

1st Test

Day-4 Evening Session Highlights:

Sri Lanka has poised for a series lead despite Ravindra’s standout heroics

Sri Lanka will back themselves to complete the job, with New Zealand still needing 68 runs to win.

At The Stumps of Day-4:

New Zealand scored 340 (1st Innings) & 207/8 (2nd Innings), where as Sri Lanka scored 305 (1st Innings) & 309 (2nd Innings).

So, finally New Zealand trail by 68 runs.

Sri Lanka put themselves on the verge of a series lead in Galle after a dominant day of cricket saw them pile pressure on New Zealand.

Setting the visitors a challenging target of 275, Sri Lanka struck consistently, with only Rachin Ravindra providing resistance.

The young left-hander remained unbeaten on 91 at stumps, but with just two wickets in hand, Sri Lanka will back themselves to finish the job, as New Zealand still require 68 runs for victory.

New Zealand had a glimmer of hope earlier in the day when Ajaz Patel made an early breakthrough, breaking the growing partnership between Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva with Sri Lanka’s lead at 215.

Kusal Mendis then injected momentum into the innings with a quick start, taking the lead beyond 250 before Ajaz dismissed him.

New Zealand’s bowlers capitalized from there, with Ajaz finding Mathews’ edge to dismiss the veteran after a composed half-century.

Patel continued to wreak havoc, completing a six-wicket haul as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 309.

In response, New Zealand began steadily despite losing Devon Conway early, with the opener suffering a rare double failure.

Kane Williamson showed intent by taking on Prabath Jayasuriya, hitting a six over extra cover and following up with several boundaries.

However, Jayasuriya had the last laugh, dismissing Williamson with a sharply turning delivery that left him stumped.

Tom Latham’s resistance was ended by Dhananjaya de Silva, after which Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell forged a brief partnership.

Although Mitchell fell just before the Tea break, a crucial partnership between Ravindra and Tom Blundell kept New Zealand’s hopes alive.

The duo targeted the pace of Lahiru Kumara, taking three boundaries off one over, and Blundell grew in confidence by attacking Ramesh Mendis.

However, Sri Lanka struck back when Jayasuriya bowled Blundell around his legs, breaking the half-century stand.

The loss of Glenn Phillips was a severe blow to New Zealand, given his first-innings contribution.

Phillips fell to Jayasuriya, edging to slips, leaving New Zealand with just four wickets in hand and over 100 runs to chase.

Ravindra, having reached his half-century, tried to shift gears, attacking Dhananjaya for a six and two boundaries while Mitchell Santner provided brief support.

But Santner’s stay was short-lived, as Ramesh Mendis removed him and quickly followed up with the dismissal of Tim Southee.

With New Zealand needing 68 more runs on a spinning track, Ravindra remains the key, but he will need a miraculous effort to steer his team to victory on the final morning.

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