SL vs NZ | William O'Rourke fifer and Latham-Williamson's synergy put the Kiwis in commanding position

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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William O'Rourke's five-wicket haul led to Sri Lanka being dismissed for 305 runs on Day 2. The Kiwis had a strong start, with notable contributions from Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and a stand between Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell ended the day at 255/4, trailing by 50 runs.

‌Overnight batsmen Prabhath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis resumed for Sri Lanka, with Ajaz Patel opening the bowling for the day. Patel swiftly dismissed Jayasuriya in the 90th over, but play was momentarily halted due to light rain at Galle. Sri Lanka’s troubles continued as William O’Rourke claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul, including the wickets of Mendis and Asitha Fernando, dismissing Sri Lanka for 305 runs. Dark clouds gathered as Kiwi openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham took to the crease, but play was briefly interrupted again as the covers were called and an early lunch was taken with the score at 5/0.

After the break, New Zealand’s Conway and Latham began aggressively against Sri Lanka's pace bowlers Fernando and Lahiru Kumara, reaching 38/0 in 10 overs. They then adopted a more cautious approach as the pitch offered some spin, with Ramesh and Jayasuriya tightening their grip. Ramesh eventually dismissed Conway in the 19th over. However, Latham and Kane Williamson steadied the innings, adding 63 runs and advancing the score to 126/1 in 31 overs. Latham scored a solid half-century off 69 balls, putting New Zealand in a strong position. The pair took the score to 136/1 in 38 overs before Latham was dismissed just before Tea.

In the final session, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra continued to build New Zealand's innings, adding 51 runs to take the score to 185/2 in 52 overs. Despite their efforts, de Silva managed to dismiss Williamson, with Kusal Mendis taking a superb catch. Lanka’s captain struck again, removing Ravindra in the 55th over. Nonetheless, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell stabilized the innings, contributing 39 runs and moving the score to 235/4 in 67 overs, trailing by 70 runs. At stumps, New Zealand had reached 255/4, still trailing by 50 runs.

He is Klass!

Kane is a different breed tho!

Congrats!

He does it easily!

Brilliant batter!

Yeah that's true!

That's it for the day!

:|

LOL! Hahahaha :D

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