New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: 1st Test, Day Two - Chandimal's knock keeps SL alive

Chandimal became the highest scoring Asian batsman in Tests in 2015

Fifties from Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal helped Sri Lanka consolidate after New Zealand posted 431 in their first innings at Dunedin on day two. The visitors, who ended the day on 197 for 4, still need 35 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Resuming on 409 for 8, Doug Bracewell helped the Kiwis add another 22 runs before he was the last man to be dismissed, with the score at 431. Bracewell, who had managed his career-best Test score, fell three short of his maiden Test fifty, as he was lbw to Nuwan Pradeep.

Despite racking up a big score, the Kiwis needed early wickets to put the relatively inexperienced Sri Lankan batting order under pressure. Trent Boult provided them with just that, as he removed Kusal Mendis for 8.

Udara Jayasundera, who was making his Test debut, threw his bat at a short wide ball from Neil Wagner and only succeeding in edging behind to BJ Watling in the 13th over to leave the visitors at 29/2.

Just when it looked as though the Kiwi seamers were on a roll, two of Sri Lanka’s top three run-getters in the calendar year steadied the ship and ensured that no further wickets fell until lunch.

After lunch, both opener Dimuth Karunaratne and wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal knuckled down and tried to wear out New Zealand’s four-pronged seam attack. The pair ensured a wicket-less session for the hosts as they went into tea at 103/2.

Although they scored just 65 runs in 30 overs after lunch, it was exactly what was required, after the failure of an inexperienced top-order. After tea though, the pair rammed home the advantage as they picked off the gaps in the field and got the odd boundary off the bad balls.

While Doug Bracewell was the only front-line bowler to not pick up a wicket on day two, it was his probing line and lengths that troubled the Sri Lankan pair, who were otherwise looking comfortable at the crease.

16 runs short of his third hundred of the year, Karunaratne feathered an edge behind off Mitchell Santner, trying to cut a ball which wasn’t short enough to play that short. While his patience deserved a hundred, a loose shot ended that hope and brought captain Mathews to the crease.

The skipper, who was Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in Tests before the start of the innings, strangled an innocuous delivery by Tim Southee to give Watling his fourth catch of the innings. Although it was given not out by umpire Nigel Llong, the Kiwis reviewed it and a mark visible on Hot sport was enough to send Mathews back to the pavilion.

Kithuruwan Vithanage then joined Chandimal at the crease and ensured that the Lankans lost no further wicket until the close of play. Despite a solid day, Sri Lanka are still 234 runs behind and need Chandimal to stay as long as possible to have any chance of taking the lead.

Scorecard:

NZ 1st innings:

Martin Guptill	156 (234)
Tom Latham	22 (46)
Kane Williamson	88 (123)
Ross Taylor	8 (12)
Brendon McCullum*	75 (57)
Mitchell Santer	12 (12)
BJ Watling	5 (8)
Doug Bracewell	47 (59)
Tim Southee	2 (2)
Neil Wagner	7 (22)
Trent Boult	0* (3)

Total	431

Bowling:

	Overs	Runs	Wickets
Suranga Lakmal	16	69	2
Nuwan Pradeep	23.1	112	4
Angelo Mathews	9	28	1
Dushmantha Chameera	20	112	2
Rangana Herath	19	46	0
Udara Jayasundera	5	33	0
Milinda Siriwardana	4	24	1

Sri Lanka 1st innings:

Dimuth Karunaratne	84 (198)
Kusal Mendis	8 (19)
Udara Jayasundera	1 (6)
Dinesh Chandimal	83* (208)
Angelo Mathews*	2 (10)
Kithuruwan Vithanage	10* (49)

Total	197/4