New Zealand versus Sri Lanka 1st Test 1st day: Ross Taylor and Akila Danajaya share the day’s honour
It was an exciting day of cricket between Sri Lanka and New
Zealand on the first day of 1st Test match played at Galle
International Stadium, Galle on Wednesday. After electing to bat first, Jeet
Raval and Tom Latham got the visitors to a steady start adding 64 runs. Akila
Danajaya struck thrice to reduce Kiwis at 71 for 3. Ross Taylor was the star of the show for New Zealand while Danajaya picked all 5 wickets for Sri Lanka.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and decided
to bat first. Jeet Raval and Tom Latham played with caution taking singles and
hitting occasional boundaries. In the first hour, both openers took them to 21
for 0. After the drinks, Latham and Raval took on Sri Lankan bowlers with
aggressive stroke play. Akila Danajaya got the breakthrough dismissing Tom
Latham for 33. Latham and Raval added 64 runs. The spinner struck again
dismissing New Zealand captain Kane Williamson in the same over for 0. Danajaya
got his third wicket by getting the wicket of Jeet Raval with a beauty of a delivery.
New Zealand went into lunch at 71 for 3.
After the lunch break, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls
counter-attacked with aggressive strokes putting pressure on Sri Lankan
bowlers. Sri Lanka got a chance to run out Ross Taylor as the throw was wide
of the wicketkeeper. Both swept the spinners which made life tough for the
hosts. Taylor completed his 50 off 86 balls. Henry Nicholls played with
positive intent and never allowed the Sri Lankan bowlers to settle. As things
looked dangerous for the hosts, Akila Danajaya struck again getting the wicket
of Henry Nicholls for 42. Nicholls and Taylor 100 runs for the 4th
wicket. Danajaya got his 5th wicket dismissing BJ Watling in
succession. On the other hand, Taylor looked positive. New Zealand ended the 2nd
session at 179 for 5.
Rain arrived after the tea break at the score of 179 for 5. After
the rain break, Ross Taylor and Mitchell Santer put on unbeaten 24 runs for the
6th wicket. At that moment, New Zealand were 203 for 5 and heavy rains
arrived. The match was called off with Ross Taylor on 86. The left spinner Embuldenya
was not up to the mark and did not put pressure on the New Zealand batsmen.
New Zealand 203 for 5 in 68 overs ( Ross Taylor 86*, Akila
Danajaya 5/57)
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| Akila Danajaya the star with 5 for 57. |
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