Sri Lanka shows fight against New Zealand in opening Test in Dunedin

Dinesh Chandimal scored an unbeaten 83 for Sri Lanka one day one of the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin.

New Zealand wrestled back their way to maintain the ascendancy by securing two vital breakthroughs in the final session of day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Dunedin on Friday.

The 27-year-old left hander was considered a veteran in the top of the order, having played 23 previous tests, with his opening partner Kusal Mendis playing just his second, while number three Udara Jayasundera was making his debut.

The ICC website states that Perera had provided the sample two days prior to Sri Lanka’s Test match against West Indies in Galle. Starc created the record for the fastest bowl delivered in Test history when he touched 160.4 kph at the WACA against New Zealand in November.

But the loss in quick succession of Karunaratne and captain Angelo Mathews (2) delivered a major blow to the Sri Lanka innings, stalling its fightback, and it chances of avoiding a substantial first innings deficit seemed to rely on Chandimal.

But opener Dimuth Karunaratne made a defiant 84 and Dinesh Chandimal ended the day 83 not out to leave Sri Lanka 197 for four at stumps.

The 122-run third wicket stand was broken when Karunaratne attempted to play a cut shot against Mitchell Santner (1-37), only to be caught by the wicket-keeper. Doug Bracewell reached 47, his highest Test score, before he was the last wicket to fall being trapped lbw by Nuwan Pradeep, Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler with four wickets.

Umpire Nigel Llong said not out but a New Zealand appeal showed the faint edge picked up by the Hotspot technology and Sri Lanka were four down for 156.

Vithanage was given a life on six when he unleashed a lofted drive off Doug Bracewell which bounced out of the hands of Kane Williamson at short cover.

Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner took a wicket each for New Zealand.

“If we can get one early the cliche is one brings two and we’ll be into the tail and that starts with (Rangana) Herath at eight”, Boult told reporters about the importance of breaking Chandimal’s partnership with Kithuruwan Vithanage, who was on 10.