ZCZC
BSP-15
CRICKET-NZL-SRI
Southee stars as Sri Lanka struggle in New Zealand
WELLINGTON, Dec 15, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Paceman Tim Southee skittled Sri
Lanka’s top order with a five-wicket haul to give New Zealand an edge on the
opening day of the first Test in Wellington on Saturday.
Southee took three scalps in a devastating opening spell to reduce the
tourists to nine for three, then followed with a double strike to snuff out a
promising fightback in the final session.
Sri Lanka were 275 for nine at stumps, with their hopes resting on a
rearguard action from Niroshan Dickwella, who was not out on 73.
Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne were the only other batsman to
offer any meaningful resistance, notching 83 and 79 respectively and forging
a 133-run partnership.
Mathews said it was a difficult wicket to play on as the ball nipped
around early, although he was wary of conditions possibly easing when New
Zealand bat on day two.
“We need as much (runs) as we can,” he said. “The wicket might get
better once the sun is out.”
Southee ended the day with five for 67 in 25 overs, his eighth five-
wicket haul in Test cricket and his best figures at the Basin Reserve.
His early burst ensured New Zealand’s decision to bowl on a green wicket
after winning the toss reaped immediate rewards.
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal said before the match that he wanted
his top order to survive the first hour and see off the new ball but the
wickets began to tumble in just the second over.
Danushka Gunathilaka was Southee’s first victim, out lbw for one after
failing to deal with a late inswinger.
Dhananjaya de Silva then edged through to the keeper for the same score
and a clearly rattled Kusal Mendis only managed to reach two before hitting a
simple catch to Ajaz Patel at mid-wicket.
Karunaratne was given a life on 33 when Neil Wagner had him caught at
mid-wicket, only to have the delivery ruled a no-ball due to a foot fault.
He was also fortunate not to be caught in the slips after nicking a
swinging Southee delivery just before bringing up his 21st Test 50.
– ‘Frustrating’ innings –
Wagner finally got his man after lunch when Karunaratne miscued a pull
shot and gloved a short ball to keeper BJ Watling.
Mathews looked threatening before Southee struck again, leaving
Dickwella to work with the tailenders in pursuit of a respectable total.
He did the job superbly, frustrating the New Zealand attack to take Sri
Lanka’s innings into a second day.
Southee said Dickwella had showed that batting positively could work on
the pitch.
“Dickwella’s come out and played aggressively and a gem of an innings
for them, frustrating for us probably,” he said.
“We’ll turn up tomorrow and get that (last) wicket as quick as
possible.”
Sri Lanka, ranked sixth in the world, have lost their last five Tests
against New Zealand and suffered a 3-0 Test series whitewash against England
last month.
They have faced upheaval in their coaching and selection ranks in recent
weeks and arrived in New Zealand low on confidence.
In contrast, the fourth-ranked Black Caps entered the two-match contest
buoyed by their first away Test series win over Pakistan in 49 years last
week.
BSS/AFP/BZC/1830HRS