Karunaratne hit seven boundaries during his knock of 84

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand retained the upper hand on the second day of the first Test in Dunedin even though Sri Lanka opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne scored 84 and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal made 83 not out.

Starting out the day on 409/8, New Zealand added 22 runs to their score before they were bowled out.

Nuwan Pradeep was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera snapped up two wickets apiece and Milinda Siriwardana and captain Angelo Mathews chipped in with one wicket each.

Trailing by 431 runs, Sri Lanka got off to a poor start as Kusal Mendis and debutant Udara Jayasundera were dismissed for eight and one respectively.

Karunaratne and Chandimal stabilised the innings with a 122-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Karunaratne was caught behind off the bowling of Mitchell Santner.

Karunaratne’s excellent knock of 84 came off 198 balls and included seven boundaries.

Mathews was on his way back to the pavilion shortly after, but Chandimal and Kithuruwan Vithanage ensured Sri Lanka did not lose any more wickets as they amassed an unbeaten 41-run partnership before stumps was called.

Chandimal finished on 83 off 208 balls, which included nine boundaries, while Vithanage remained undefeated on 10.

Chandimal scored his ninth Test fifty

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Santner, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner claimed one wicket each.

Sri Lanka ended day two on 197/4 and will continue batting on Saturday at 10:30 local time or 21:30 GMT (Previous day).