Sri Lanka scored 305 runs against New Zealand: a century partnership between Mendis- Karunaratne, 75 overs on the first day
The first Test match is being played between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Christchurch. By the end of the first day’s play on Thursday, Sri Lanka has scored 305 runs at the loss of 6 wickets. Due to bad light only 75 overs could be played during the day.
For Sri Lanka, there was a century partnership between Kushal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne and a half-century partnership between Angelo Mathews-Dinesh Chandimal. Whereas Dhananjay D’Silva 39 and Kasun Rajitha are unbeaten after scoring 16 runs.
The Kiwi captain’s decision to field in the beginning proved right
New Zealand won the toss and decided to field first. This decision of Kiwi captain Tim Southee seemed to be proved correct in the initial over. Sri Lanka’s first wicket fell on a score of 14 runs. Opener Oshada Fernando returned to the pavilion after scoring 13 runs off 31 balls, caught by Tom Blundell off Tim Southee.
137-run partnership between Kushal Mendis and Karunaratne
But then there was a 137-run partnership for the second wicket between Kushal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne. On the team’s score of 151 runs, Mendis returned to the pavilion after being LBW on Southee’s ball. He scored 87 runs in 83 balls. Mendis hit 16 fours in his innings. After his departure, Karunaratne was also dismissed without increasing the team’s score. He played an inning of 50 runs facing 87 balls.
The 82-run partnership between Angelo Mathews and Dinesh
After the dismissals of Karunaratne and Mendis, both new batsmen Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal handled the Sri Lankan innings and took the score from 151 to 233 runs. There was an 82-run partnership for the fourth wicket between the two.
Angelo Mathews then scored 47 while Chandimal was dismissed for 39 off 64 balls. By the end of the day’s play, there was a 45-run partnership between Dhananjay D’Silva and Kasun Rajitha for the seventh wicket.
Saudi took 3 wickets
Tim Southee was the most successful bowler from New Zealand. He took 3 wickets for 44 runs. Matt Henry took 2 wickets for 65 runs.
It is necessary to clean-sweep the series to stay in the WTC final
Sri Lanka will have to clean sweep the two-Test series against New Zealand to remain in the final of the World Test Championship. On the other hand, if India wins the fourth Test match starting with Australia in Ahmedabad on Thursday, then this series will not be affected. Sri Lanka will be out of contention for the World Test Championship final.