Sep 19 (Askume) – Tom Latham and Kane Williamson led New Zealand’s fightback with superb half-centuries as the Black Caps defeated Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test in Galle, reaching a record 255-4 despite heavy rain to leave the visitors 50 runs behind.
Latham, who was batted in by heavy rain for most of the morning session, did well in good batting conditions to score 70 off 111 balls, while Williamson scored 55 off 104 balls to take charge of the day and set up a strong platform.
Rachin Ravindra fell for 39 as Sri Lanka launched a late attack to ease some pressure, but Daryl Mitchell provided enough support for New Zealand with 41 not out and Tom Blundell with 18 not out.
Sri Lanka resumed on 302-7 after Kamindu Mendis’s 114 a day earlier but lost momentum in the early morning as Ajaz Patel replaced Prabath Jayasuriya before the first of two rain delays.
New Zealand paceman William O’Rourke returned after a hiatus to take the last two wickets and finish with 5-55 as the home side added just one more wicket to their overnight score and three points.
Sri Lanka struggled to control the runs in sunny conditions after lunch and Latham completed his 29th Test half-century after Devon Conway was run out by Ramesh Ramesh Mendis.
Latham departed at the end of Tea and while New Zealand were looking to consolidate their strong base, the left-hander made a rare mistake in the sweep and Jayasuriya’s replacement Sadara Samara Wickrama caught it brilliantly.
Williamson overcame the 73-run deficit and forged another good partnership with Ravindra as he approached the 50-run mark but the former skipper nicked a delivery from Dhananjaya de Silva to wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis.
De Silva struck again in the next over and bowled Ravindra after the batsman misjudged the line, bringing his team back into the match at 196–4, but Sri Lanka could make no further progress.
