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NZ VS SL: Day 1 washed away after Lankan domination


Bangladeshpost
Published : 14 Aug 2019 08:23 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 06:19 PM

Play was called off for the day with New Zealand on 203/5 (68 ovs). Akila Dananjaya took all the 5 wickets. Ross Taylor is batting on 86 and the match is pretty evenly poised at this stage. Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bat in the opening Test against hosts Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday. 

The two-Test series, with the second match set for Colombo, is the first for both teams in the newly launched World Test Championship, which features the top nine Test-playing nations competing in a league across two years. Both side selected three spinners, with the pitch expected to offer turn for slow bowlers.

Sri Lankan cricketer Akila Dananjaya (2L) celebrates with teammates after dismissing New Zealand cricketer Tom Latham (R) during the first day of the opening Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle on 14 August 2019. Photo: AFPSpinner Akila Dananjaya claimed three wickets including skipper Kane Williamson for nought as New Zealand slumped from 64-0 to 71-3 at lunch Wednesday in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Dananjaya, who was bowling with a remodelled action after his mystery spin was reported to be suspect last year, returned figures of 3-28 in 11.2 overs.

Openers Jeet Raval and Tom Latham put on 64 after the Kiwis elected to bat before Dananjaya struck on a pitch that is already offering big turn. Latham was the first to go after being caught behind for 30 as Dananjaya got the left-handed batsman to poke at a delivery that was turning away.

Williamson fell three balls later when he flicked one straight into the hands of his opposite number Dimuth Karunaratne at short midwicket. In the last over before lunch, Dananjaya claimed his third wicket when the left-handed Raval failed to pick a googly and was caught at first slip by Dhananjaya de Silva. He made 33.