New Zealand had the scent of victory after only the second day of the first Test against Sri lanka on Saturday after a scintillating bowling spell forced the tourists to follow on 303 runs in arrears.
After New Zealand posted 441 in their first innings at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, a four-pronged pace attack led by Trent Boult dismissed Sri lanka for 138 inside 43 overs. “That first innings was something special. It just seemed to happen against a quality side so it was brilliant,” New Zealand’s chief destroyer Boult said after returning figures of three for 25 off 11 overs. Sri lanka made a more solid start to their second innings, reaching 84 without loss at stumps, but with three days remaining they were still 219 runs in arrears and Boult believed the signs were good for New Zealand.
The quick end signaled that the bowlers had found how to exploit the green-tinged surface and 13 wickets fell in two sessions after the batsmen led by New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum’s 195 had dominated the first day. Amid the carnage, only Mathews carried the fight to New Zealand as he raced from 40 to his 19th half-century with a four and six off successive deliveries from Wagner.
Brief Scores
New Zealand: 441 lead Sri lanka: 138 (Angelo Mathews 50; Trent Boult 3-25, Neil Wagner 3-60, Tim Southee 2-17, Jimmy Neesham 2-28) and 84-0 (Karunaratne 49, Silva 33 not out) by 219 runs.