NZ Vs SL: Kiwis Left Reeling As Sri Lanka's Pace Attack Shines On Day 2
Tom Latham scored a fighting fifty [Source: Twitter]
On the second day of the first Test match in Christchurch, Sri Lanka outplayed New Zealand yet again, leaving them in a precarious position as they go to Stumps at 162/5.
Despite being the home team and playing on familiar terrain, New Zealand's lacklustre bowling performance was exploited by the visitors, who used the conditions on offer to their advantage.
The hosts, on the other hand, failed to live up to their reputation, especially on the first day, where they had a poor showing. The pitch, which had been used for 60 overs, still had enough movement to trouble the batsmen, and Sri Lanka's pace attack, sticking to the basics, kept plugging away to end the day on a high.
How the battle panned out?
Resuming Day 2, Sri Lanka made a noteworthy addition of 50 runs to their overnight total of 305/6, despite losing their last established batsman, Dhananjaya de Silva, early in the morning.
The tail-enders, albeit with some fortune, proved to be a source of frustration for the Kiwis, before the innings was finally wrapped up for a total of 355. The lethal duo of Tim Southee and Matt Henry were once again instrumental in taking nine wickets between them.
Lahiru Kumara scalped two crucial wickets [Source: Twitter]
In response, the New Zealand opening pair safely navigated the challenging period leading up to lunch, accumulating 12 runs without loss in six overs. Sri Lanka's new ball bowlers, Kasun Rajitha and Asitha Fernando, struggled to find consistency in their radar, thereby failing to pose any significant challenge to the NZ openers.
Subsequently, the Lankans bowled well, but their failure to capitalize on the new ball, despite favourable conditions, allowed Tom Latham and Devon Conway to settle in and look comfortable for most of the afternoon.
The pair seemed poised to bat through until tea, before Asitha broke the partnership by dismissing Conway LBW for 30 off 88 balls, during a phase where the Kiwis found it difficult to score.
Sri Lanka's efforts were eventually rewarded with the prized scalp of Kane Williamson, who was dismissed for just 1 off Lahiru Kumara's bowling at the stroke of tea. Henry Nicholls followed suit shortly after, falling early in the post-tea session for just 2 runs, also off Kumara's bowling.
Following two quick wickets, Latham and Mitchell put together a respectable 58-run partnership, before Latham was outsmarted by Asitha with a magnificent delivery, resulting in his dismissal for 67 off 144 balls.
Tom Blundell's stay at the crease proved to be brief, as he edged one behind to the wicket-keeper off Rajitha's bowling for just 7 runs, concluding a woeful 22-ball innings.
With five wickets down, Daryl Mitchell is going strong for the hosts, batting on 40 with Michael Bracewell at the other end unbeaten on 9. With a deficit of almost 200 runs, New Zealand's batting lineup will be under immense pressure going into Day 3.
The team's inability to bat deep has added to their woes, and they would have to dig deep to cut the deficit and avoid giving Sri Lanka a substantial lead.
The visitors, on the other hand, will have their sights set on wrapping up the Kiwi innings quickly and gaining a big lead to boost their chances of winning the game and keeping their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final alive.
Overall, it was a disappointing day for New Zealand, who were outsmarted by Sri Lanka in their own conditions.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka (1st innings): 355-10 (92.4)
Kusal Mendis 87 (83), Dimuth Karunaratne 50 (87);
Tim Southee 5-64, Matt Henry 4-80
New Zealand (1st innings): 162/5 (63)
Tom Lathan 67 (144), Daryl Mitchell 40*(89)
Lahiru Kumara 2-34, Asitha Fernanado 2/42
New Zealand trail by 193 runs.
 "Jatin")
