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Sri Lanka v New Zealand: Black Caps batters edge ahead on day two of first test in Galle
Harry Potter • September 23rd, 2024 7:47 pm
If the Black Caps eventually enjoy rare success on the subcontinent, this base will also function as a blueprint.
Half-centuries for Tom Latham and Kane Williamson helped New Zealand edge ahead in the first test against Sri Lanka, heading to stumps on day two trailing by 50 runs with six first-innings wickets in hand.
After Will O’Rourke (5-55) wrapped up the hosts for 305 in Galle, early rain proved more disruptive than the opposing attack, with only a couple of mental lapses preventing the day from nearing the ideal plan.
Playing on a ground where batters have fallen to spin at a higher strike rate than anywhere in the world, the Black Caps are unlikely to win this two-test series through lofty totals and long stays at the crease.
Instead, success will be born from days like these: turning over the strike, stringing together partnerships, scoring quickly when conditions suit, and capitalizing when the hosts’ spinners don’t have the ball on a string.
Latham (70) outshone even Williamson (55) in that regard, putting together his most impressive test innings in 18 months.
Sri Lanka turned to spin after four overs, but the opener relished that prolonged test. Latham excelled while playing the ball late, using his footwork without risk and premeditating his sweep to paddle for singles.
The shot also became his best weapon when the bowlers erred in length, clipping five of his six fours behind square to readily compile while the surface could still be trusted.
Latham’s success shouldn’t have surprised — he averages 69 against Sri Lanka, while his last trip to the country ended in a match-winning 154 in Colombo. But it did follow a relatively fallow period when last wearing the whites, struggling alongside Devon Conway to lay the type of platform once expected of the pair.Their 63-run stand to begin day two was their best partnership since Sri Lanka toured at the start of 2023. But only Latham was able to further bat his way into form.Conway, conversely, looked scratchy while creeping to 17 off 59. That scoring rate was the exception among the tourists’ top order, but his lack of fluidity would now almost count as a rule — Conway has raised his bat only once in his past 26 international innings across formats.
After he played around a straightening delivery from Ramesh Mendis, Williamson joined Latham to confirm no demons had yet appeared on the pitch.
