NZ vs SL, 1st TestWith WTC Final on the line, Sri Lanka off to strong start in Christchurch Test

By India Today Sports DeskSri Lanka came up with a strong batting approach on the opening day of their first Test in New Zealand on Thursday, March 9. The visitors reached 305 for 6 at Stumps in Christchurch after 75 overs of play in the first of the 2-Test series.

Sri Lanka are in with a chance to reach the World Test Championship final and they need to complete an unprecedented whitewash of the 2-match series in New Zealand to stay in the race. Sri Lanka will be knocked out of the race to the WTC final if India win their ongoing 4th and final Test against Australia in Ahmedabad.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights

However, Dimuth Karunaratne’s men have given themselves hope with a solid start to their Test series in New Zealand. After losing the toss on an overcast morning and on the Hagley Oval pitch that had plenty of grass, the visitors lost Oshada Fernando early to Capitan Tim Southee, who was more than happy to win the toss and send Sri Lanka in.

However, captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis counter-attacked, showcasing positive attitude to counter the threat of the New Zealand pacers in the first session. The runs flew so much so that Sri Lanka reached 120 for 1 at the end of the first session.

Dimuth Karunaratne made 50 off 87 deliveries while Kusal Mendis struck 17 boundaries for his 83-ball 87. The 137-run partnership between Mendis and Karunaratne lifted Sri Lanka to 151-2 before both batsmen were out at that score as Southee and his new ball partner Matt Henry struck back for New Zealand.

MATTHEWS, SOUTHEE REACH MILESTONES

Just when New Zealand looked to make further inroads, senior batters Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal joined hands for an 82-run stand for the 4th wicket. The two experienced batters applied themselves wonderfully well and kept the scoreboard moving after a cautious start.

Rain briefly delayed the return of players from the Tea break but passed quickly and the partnership was 82 when Chandimal was caught by Tom Latham from Southee. He was 39.

The wicket was Southee’s 362nd in Tests, taking him past Daniel Vettori into second place on New Zealand’s all-time list of test wicket-takers behind Richard Hadlee with 431. Southee also passed Vettori’s mark of 705 to become New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker across all three formats.

Mathews also reached an important milestone when, at 47, he passed 7,000 runs in Tests, achieved at an average of 45.

He was out at that score, caught by Tom Latham at second slip off Henry and Niroshan Dickwell fall soon after for 7, lbw to spinner Michael Bracewell.

Wagner was the hero of New Zealand’s 1-run win over England in the second Test at the Basin Reserve two weeks ago, claiming the last wicket of James Anderson. But he took a pounding Thursday, conceding 68 runs from 10 overs. (With AP Inputs)