‌SL vs NZ | Twitter reacts to Lankan veterans irritate Kiwis amidst rain spells on opening day

Arijit Kundu

ByArijit Kundu, SportsCafe Editor

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Sri Lanka stockpiled 306 runs on the first day of the second Test at the Galle International Stadium, Galle. Dinesh Chandimal’s 116, Angelo Mathews’ 78*, and Kamindu's fifty coupled with enormous catch drops helped the Lankan side gain an upper hand on what seemed like a batting-friendly surface.

Eyeing to bolster their chances for the World Test Championship, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first under gloomy conditions. Although Pathum Nissanka fell cheaply against Tim Southee, Dinesh Chandimal accompanied Dimuth Karunaratne to negate the New Zealand new ball attack until rain intervened briefly with the score 41/1 in 11 overs. However, the sun showed up quick time and the experienced pair kept nurdling around with Chandimal reaching a fifty on 79 balls. The use of spin in the middle order didn’t yield results under bright sunny conditions but some uneven bounce off the surface did trouble Chandimal in the extended session with Lanka’s scoreboard reflecting 102/1 in 32 overs. 

New Zealand adopted the ploy to bring spin from both ends after Lunch that didn’t quite go well with them. Subsequently, a lapse of concentration from Chandimal led to a disastrous run out resulting in the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne for 46. Unfortunately, the visitors could not capitalise on the breakthrough as Angelo Mathews’ cautious approach kept the scoreboard ticking. Eventually, Chandiaml got to his century on 171 balls, helping the partnership grow to 70 before Sri Lanka’s score read 194/2 at Tea.

Resuming hereon, the pair continued the milking process to irritate the opposition and bring up the 200-run mark in the 66th over. With the ball getting older, the pacers were kept at bay, resulting in Phillips cleaning up Chandimal with a peach in the 73rd over. With Kamindu Mendis entering the fray, Mathews reached a fifty and kept nurdling around. Despite the second new ball being taken, the visitors failed to get any further breakthrough on the day with Kamindu earning a fifty with Lanka’s scorecard reading 306/3 at Stumps.

Good inns!

Great batter!

Brilliant from Kamindu!

Nice!

Yes!

Good numbers!

What a player he is!

Same story!

Yes he did!

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