Chandimal promising inning kept New Zealand in check

Tags: Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2015-16, New Zealand v Sri Lanka 1st Test at Dunedin, Dec 10-14, 2015, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Frank Dimuth Madushanka Karunaratne, Lokuge Dinesh Chandimal, Martin James Guptill, Kane Stuart Williamson, Brendon Barrie McCullum, Trent Alexander Boult, Timothy Grant Southee, Neil Wagner

Published on: Dec 11, 2015

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Karunaratne and Chandimal led the Sri Lankan fight back as the visitors still trail the hosts by 234 runs after day two in Dunedin. In contrast with day one where the runs were scored at a brisk rate by New Zealand and wickets also fallen

Sri Lanka 197 for 4 (Karunaratne 84, Chandimal 83*) trail New Zealand 431 (Guptill 156, Williamson 88, McCullum 75, Pradeep 4-112) by 234 runs

Karunaratne and Chandimal led the Sri Lankan fight back as the visitors still trail the hosts by 234 runs after day two in Dunedin. In contrast with day one where the runs were scored at a brisk rate by New Zealand and wickets also fallen, the day two was little modest and the game moved little slowly. Sri Lanka scored their 197 runs at just about 2.5 runs per over on the same pitch where hosts had scored at 4.5 runs per over shows that Sri Lankan batsmen were patient and played the waiting game. Their run rate also slowed down by some accurate bowling from New Zealand fast bowlers. They swing the ball both ways with kept batsmen on check whether to play or leave.

Sri Lanka lost Kusal Mendis and Udara Jayasundera early in the inning in the first session of the day. But the partnership between Karunaratne and Chandimal brought them back into the game. Their partnership which spanned 48.5 overs and scored 122 runs kept New Zealand wicketless in the afternoon session. The partnership faced some tough stuff from the New Zealand bowlers where they bowled tight line and length. We can say that they done well to safely negotiate the bowlers by not losing any wickets. But the hosts will be relief after getting two important wickets in the final session. The fall of set batsmen Karunaratne and skipper Mathews has left the lower order too much to do. Third wicket fell at 151 and five runs later the Sri Lankans lost the crucial wicket of captain Angelo Mathews for two. The Black Caps called for a review when Mathews was given not out off a Tim Southee delivery. Initially it looked like the ball had hit the pad, but hot spot showed the faintest of nicks and Nigel Llong's decision was overturned.

Trent Boult, Southee, Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner each snared one wicket.

At the stumps on day 2, Dinesh Chandimal was unbeaten on 83 and Kithuruwan Vithanage on 10

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