New Zealand are all smiles after dismissing Sri Lanka for 138
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
New Zealand’s pace attack sliced through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up and subsequently made them follow-on at the end of the second day of the first Test in Christchurch.
Starting out the day on 429/7, New Zealand spinner Mark Craig and pace bowler Tim Southee only amassed a two-run partnership before Southee was caught by Lahiru Thirimanne at second slip off the bowling of Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews for a duck.
Neil Wagner only made four runs before he was caught by debutant Tharindu Kaushal at point off the bowling of Suranga Lakmal.
New Zealand were bowled out for 441 the very next delivery as Trent Boult was caught behind for a duck.
Boult was not given out initially, but Sri Lanka decided to review the decision. Replays showed that Boult had in fact edged the ball and this led to the third umpire overturning the original decision.
Lakmal and Mathews picked up three wickets apiece, while Kaushal, Shaminda Eranga and Dhammika Prasad chipped in with one wicket each.
Trailing by 441, Sri Lanka got off to an awful start as Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva and Kumar Sangakkara were all dismissed in quick succession.
Boult, who removed Karunaratne, Silva and Sangakkara, celebrates after picking up his 100th Test wicket
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Thirimanne and Mathews somewhat stemmed the bleeding with a 43-run partnership before Thirimanne was caught by Craig at second slip off the bowling of Southee.
Following Thirimanne’s dismissal, Sri Lanka’s middle and lower order, with the exception of Mathews, completely collapsed.
Mathews ended up making 50 off 85 balls, which included three boundaries and two sixes, as Sri Lanka were bowled out for a dismal 138.
Wagner and Boult snapped up three wickets apiece, while Southee and James Neesham claimed two wickets each.
Wagner finished with figures of 3-60 off 11 overs
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Since Sri Lanka still trailed by 303 runs, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum enforced the follow-on.
Still trailing by 303, Sri Lanka got off to an excellent start as Karunaratne and Silva amassed an unbeaten 84-run partnership before stumps was called.
Karunaratne finished on 49 off 109 balls, which included six boundaries, while Silva remained undefeated on 33 off 102 deliveries, which included five boundaries.
Sri Lanka ended day two on 84/0 and will continue batting tomorrow at 11:00 local time or 22:00 GMT (previous day).