Sri Lanka and New Zealand locked horns in the second Test match in Galle, with the visitors opting to bowl first after winning the toss. The pitch, number 7, offered less grass and a firmer surface, providing a challenge for the batsmen.
New Zealand’s Tim Southee struck early, dismissing Pathum Nissanka for a duck in the first over. Nissanka nicked a delivery that nipped away from him, giving Tom Blundell a simple catch. Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the Sri Lankan innings, but the hosts struggled to build partnerships.
William O’Rourke, sharing the new ball with Southee, bowled a maiden over to Karunaratne. However, he spilled a chance to dismiss the left-hander in his next over, with Daryl Mitchell dropping a catch at first slip.
Chandimal, who came in at number 3, showed some aggression, hitting a boundary off Southee. However, he was dismissed for 41 by Ajaz Patel, who bowled a flatter delivery that Chandimal could only tap towards cover-point.
Karunaratne, who had been watchful throughout his innings, was eventually dismissed for 28 by O’Rourke. The left-hander was caught behind after edging a delivery that swung away from him.
Sri Lanka’s middle order failed to make significant contributions, with Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, and Dhananjaya de Silva all falling cheaply. Kusal Mendis, the wicket-keeper, provided some resistance with a 25-ball 20, but he was eventually dismissed by Patel.
At the end of the day’s play, Sri Lanka were struggling at 122/7, with Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris at the crease. New Zealand’s bowlers had been disciplined and accurate, with Southee, Patel, and O’Rourke sharing the wickets.
