Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 2 preview: Taylor key on deteriorating pitch

Rain allowed only 68 overs of cricket in first day of the Test series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, at Galle International Stadium, but there was enough time for the fortunes of the Test to change thrice after New Zealand took early advantage in the Test. The tourists are 203/5 at stumps.

Ross Taylor is still there, on 86, along with Mitchell Santner (8). However, in Tim Southee, William Somerville, Trent Boult, and Ajaz Patel, New Zealand have a tail longer than usual. An early breakthrough may result in a collapse for them.

Jeet Raval (33) and Tom Latham (30) batted grittily for the first hour and a half against some tight bowling from Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara. Runs were hard to come by, and the pair took 26.3 overs to add 64.

Latham went first when Akila Dananjaya turned a ball sharply to take his edge; three balls Kane Williamson fell hit to short-mid-wicket; and Raval edged to slip. New Zealand lost 3 for 7 in 24 balls, all three wickets falling to Dananjaya.

Resuming at 71/3, Taylor and Henry Nicholls (42) added exactly 100. Just when it seemed they would bat through till tea, Dananjaya trapped both Nicholls and BJ Watling leg-before.

Key players

Akila Dananjaya (Sri Lanka): Not many spinners take the first five wickets to fall in a Test. Not only has Dananjaya (5/57) done that, he has looked like picking up wickets even during the barren sessions. He will have a role to play on the second morning.

Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): Santner will first have to provide Taylor company (alternately, shepherd the tail). Then he will have to resort to his main suit on a Galle pitch that is likely to deteriorate.

Brief scores

New Zealand 203/5 (Ross Taylor 86*, Henry Nicholls 42; Akila Dananjaya 5/57) vs Sri Lanka.

Prediction

Sri Lanka bowl out New Zealand by 275 but the Test to hang in balance.