New Zealand celebrate after defeating Sri Lanka
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
New Zealand crushed Sri Lanka by 122 runs on the fifth day of the first Test in Dunedin to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Starting out the day on 109/3, a number of Sri Lanka’s batsmen, with the exception of Dinesh Chandimal, struggled to convert their positive starts into bigger scores. This was the case for captain Angelo Mathews, Kithuruwan Vithanage and Milinda Siriwardana as they were dismissed for 25, 38 and 29 respectively.
Chandimal meanwhile managed to score 58 off 132 balls, which included 11 boundaries, before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Mitchell Santner.
Chandimal made a gutsy 58
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Sri Lanka, who were chasing 405 to win, were eventually dismissed for 282 and thus found themselves trailing in the two-Test series.
Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Santner, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult snapped up two wickets apiece and Doug Bracewell claimed one.
Mathews was disappointed to lose the match, and said: “I though we fought hard. They got off to a flier and we had too many loose balls. I thought we were too cautious in the first innings. We will have to be more positive. There was a lot of grass on the wicket but we did not land in the right areas. We did not bowl well. We did well in the second innings but it was too late.
“We did not show much intent in the first innings. Not really, It was a tough wicket to get 20 wickets and they needed time to get us out [on Baz’s declaration]. We showed guts and it was exciting to see the batters bat too. We don’t have Sanga’s and Mahela’s in the team, we are inexperienced, but it’s all about the mindset.”
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was thrilled to have taken a 1-0 lead in the series, and said: “It was a professional display but it was pretty hard to get 20 wickets. The guys bowled well and we batted well too. Overall, a professional performance. Sometimes, you have to risk losing to win. We desperately needed some time to beat Sri Lanka. The way the bowlers went about it was outstanding.
“The way Guptill and Latham started, it was tricky and the batsmen hit the ball down the ground and we got to a four-an-over start on the first morning. Wagner with the pace and bounce even on day five was a testament to how good the surface was. Overall, the pitch definitely suited us. When you know you have guys like Wagner who can bowl hostile spells, you are always in the game. We will have to make sure we put up another thorough performance in Hamilton.”
New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was named Man of the Match, and said: “This is my second Man-of-the-match award, I can celebrate with the guys. I did not feel too much pressure and played a few shots. Tommy and I have been batting well lately. It has been good and hopefully we carry on next week. There was a bit of one-day cricket in the game. If you get yourself in and adjust to the pace and bounce of the wicket, you can take it from there.”