A delayed start, combined with an early end, meant that there were only 36.3 overs of cricket was possible on Day 1 of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, at P Sara Oval, Colombo. Dimuth Karunaratne first won a crucial toss, then batted through the truncated day for a solid, unbeaten 49 as Sri Lanka finished on 85/2. Karunaratne will resume tomorrow with Angelo Mathews, who is yet to score his first run.
Sri Lanka bat deep, and given the fact that rain is predicted, they will want to bat New Zealand out of the Test (and hence, the series). However, this is also opportunity for them to pick up all 60 points (120 from the series), so they will also try to get their runs quickly. They have the firepower to do that.
Lahiru Thirimanne began cautiously today – and that is being polite, for he took 35 balls for his 2. He played out the new ball before lobbing one to short cover.
Kusal Mendis (32) helped then Karunaratne add 50 for the second wicket. Then, just when it seemed they would bat out the day, he edged one from Colin de Grandhomme that moved just a bit away, and was caught behind.
Key players
Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka): With a fourth-innings hundred, Karunaratne had helped Sri Lanka chase down 268 at Galle earlier this week. He seems to have picked up his touch from there. He will ideally want to bat for as long as possible on Day 2.
Ajaz Patel (New Zealand): With subtle variations in flight and length, Patel had taken 5 wickets in the first innings at Galle. Intelligent and accurate, Patel has made the most of helpful conditions in the past, and will look forward to an encore.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka 85/2 (Dimuth Karunaratne 49*; Colin de Grandhomme 1/14) vs New Zealand.
Prediction
Sri Lanka to bat through the day.