Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 1 Update
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The first day of the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand has been entirely dominated by the Sri Lankan batters at the Galle International Stadium. For New Zealand, it was a day to forget in terms of bowling performance. Ajaz Patel bowled tightly but lacked support from his teammates. Let’s look at Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 1 Update.
Will O’Rourke, in particular, was extremely unfortunate to end the day without a wicket; he had three catches dropped off his bowling (2 by Mitchell and 1 by Latham) along with having a wicket taken off a no-ball. This highlighted the Kiwis’ struggles in the field and their inability to capitalize on the few chances that came their way.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka showcased a masterclass in batting throughout the day, leaving the Kiwis struggling to find their footing. The day started with promise for New Zealand when they claimed the wicket of Nissanka in the very first over. However, this would be their sole success in a frustrating morning session.
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SL vs NZ 2nd Test Day 1: Chandimal’s Century and Missed Fortunes of New Zealand
Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne quickly settled into a rhythm, forming a formidable partnership that put Sri Lanka in a commanding position. While Karunaratne played a measured role, carefully defending and rotating the strike, Chandimal took the initiative to score freely and keep the scoreboard ticking.
The pair built an impressive stand, with Chandimal particularly aggressive in his approach. Despite a few setbacks, Chandimal continued to shine, reaching a well-deserved century. His innings included a mix of aggressive strokes and well-placed boundaries, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings while also playing positively.
Sri Lankan Batter Showed Relicense
New batter Angelo Mathews joined the fray and adopted a more cautious approach, gradually accumulating runs and looking comfortable at the crease. At the time of day 1 stumps, Mathews was on a substantial score, having reached 78 runs from 166 balls.
The real entertainment of the day, however, was Kamindu Mendis, who came in with a positive mindset and quickly raced to a half-century at nearly a run a ball. Mendis’ aggressive batting added further pressure to the New Zealand bowlers, ensuring that Sri Lanka continued to dominate the proceedings.
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SL vs NZ 2nd Test Day 1: What to Expect for Day 2?
As the day ended, Kamindu Mendis made history by becoming the player with the most consecutive Tests with 50+ scores from debut, with his eighth score crossing the mark. However, Sri Lanka stands strong with Angelo Mathews & Kamindu Mendis still on strike, leaving New Zealand with plenty of work to do if they are to mount a comeback in this Test match.
