New Zealand v Sri Lanka 1st Test, Day 2 Review: Chandimal holds the cards for the visitors

Neil Wagner’s six early in the morning sent clear signals about New Zealand’s intentions. Bracewell clattered a pull while flashing his bat on two occasions to notch up three vital boundaries before the hosts were packed up for 431. Opener Kusal Mendis, playing his second Test match struggled in the unfamiliar conditions while debutant Udara Jayasundera succumbed early.

At 29/2, Sri Lanka found the going tough. But Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal prevented further damage. The duo made only 65 runs in the afternoon session, as Karunaratne brought up his 7th half-century. Karunaratne played with a positive approach, even though luck did favour him on a couple of occasions. He edged consecutive out swingers from Trent Boult, but soft hands ensured the ball didn’t carry.

Chandimal at the other end smacked few that were on offer while presenting the full face of the bat. Unlike Sri Lanka’s quicks, New Zealand fast bowlers did not offer much of scoring opportunities. Boult’s first spell read 6-2-16-1 and Southee bowled with 5-1-6-0. Doug Bracewell did well with the supporting role, conceding only five runs in four overs before lunch.

Skipper McCullum let Mitchell Santner take the centre stage and the spinner didn’t disappoint. He flighted it up to Chandimal and on occasions bowled the straighter one with delight. Having being introduced in the 30th over, Santner had to wait for a while before breaking Karunaratne’s resistance, as the batsman tried to cut a delivery that wasn’t short enough. The third wicket stand of 122 runs between Karunaratane and Chandimal finished on a loose note, but that didn’t deter the hopes of the later who went about his business. Chandimal raised his bat to acknowledge the crowd in the 60th over, as the stylish batsman brought up his fifty from 143 balls.

He punched the in-swingers from Southee while glancing past the same Northland bowler on another occasion, remaining unbeaten on 83. Skipper Angelo Mathews couldn’t help the scorer’s as New Zealand’s review saw the hotspot pick a tiny mark which made the decision easy for umpire Llong. He perished for two runs, as the scoreboard read 156/4. Sri Lanka would have been five down had Williamson not clanged a chance at short cover, minutes before stumps. Sri Lanka added 41 more runs more as stumps were called at 5:50 pm. But the hosts can fancy their chances with the second new ball on a seamer friendly third day morning.

Trent Boult and Tim Southee were rewarded with a wicket each while Santner and Wagner will be pleased with strikes at a crucial junction. Sri Lanka will pin their hopes on Chandimal as the other batters will look to rally around the settled right-hander. McCullum will be pleased to see the unwaveringly accurate lines and lengths that were bowled by the pacers while Santner’s turners will encourage a better picture for the hosts in the coming dawn.

Brief score:

New Zealand – 431/10 (Guptill 156; Pradeep 4/112)

Sri Lanka – 197/4 (Karunaratne 84, Chandimal 83*; Southee 1/35)

Sri Lanka trail by 234 runs.