First Test evenly poised

Rex Clementine in Galle

The first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is finely balanced at the close of day two, with New Zealand trailing Sri Lanka’s first-innings total by 50 runs and six wickets in hand. Half-centuries from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson breathed life into the Kiwi innings, with the visitors finishing the day on 255 for four.

New Zealand’s approach to tackling spin in Galle, a venue notorious for its sharp turn, showcased a calculated shift in tactics. In their previous four outings here in Galle, the Kiwis have been spun into submission, losing each match due to their struggles against Sri Lanka’s spinners. This time, they came prepared. By adopting a more aggressive mindset, particularly using both conventional and reverse sweeps, they managed to unsettle the Sri Lankan bowlers and prevent themselves from being pinned down.

This counter-attacking strategy forced Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva to spread the field, easing the pressure on the batters. The Kiwis, clearly believing that attack is the best form of defense, handled the spin threat better than in past encounters.

Both Latham and Williamson looked poised to break New Zealand’s century drought in Galle, but fate intervened. Their 73-run partnership for the second wicket steadied the innings, only for Latham to fall just before tea, top-edging a sweep to be caught by a substitute fielder at backward square leg.

Williamson, the world’s second-ranked batter behind England’s Joe Root, has an outstanding record against Sri Lanka, averaging a remarkable 78, well above his career average of 54. However, Galle had been his nemesis, with a dismal tally of just 14 runs across four innings at the venue. He seemed determined to right that wrong with a fluent half-century, but his team would have hoped for more. Trying to work Dhananjaya de Silva to the leg side for a single, Williamson got a leading edge, allowing wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis to take a sharp catch.

De Silva struck again when Rachin Ravindra, opting to leave a delivery, saw his stumps rattled. But Daryl Mitchell ensured New Zealand kept their grip on the match, countering the spinners with a bold approach. Sweeping regularly and finding the gaps, he remained unbeaten on 41. Tom Blundell supported him, ending the day on 18 not out.

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s tail offered little resistance in a rain-hit morning session. They managed to add only three runs to their overnight total, losing their last three wickets swiftly.

The highlight of the day belonged to New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke, who claimed a second five-wicket haul in his fledgling Test career. The 23-year-old, a surprise selection ahead of the seasoned Matt Henry, bowled with aggression, hitting the deck hard and troubling the Sri Lankan batters with his pace and bounce. Having played just his third Test, O’Rourke already shows signs of being New Zealand’s next big fast-bowling sensation. His earlier figures of nine for 93 against South Africa remain the best by a New Zealand debutant, and his star continues to rise.