New Zealand v Sri Lanka 2nd Test, Day 2 Review: Chameera's five gives Sri Lanka the upper hand

If the first days play was action-packed with six sixes, two run-outs out of the seven wickets and strong comebacks from both the sides then the second day promised for even more. In the first over of the days play, Skipper Angelo Mathews tucked Tim Southee for a single to bring up his 4000 runs in Test cricket. He sliced the loose ones and gently left the good ones. His stay was cut short by Southee, who bowled that nagging line while Latham did the rest with a smart catch. Few overs later, Suranga Lakmal got a bite of luck when Neil Wagner’s delivery kissed the timber but the bails were not disturbed. The very next ball saw Kane Williamson take a catch at gully to send Lakmal back with the score board reading 288/9.

New Zealand wrapped up the last wicket in the face of Chameera, who faced 45 deliveries for four runs. With 292 on the board, Sri Lanka could afford to fancy their chance. The pair of Tom Latham and Martin Guptill were watchful from the start. While Guptill took big strides forward and launched the cherry to the fence, Latham played some lovely drives with a straight bat. Guptill dispatched one from Angelo Mathews onto the long-off boundary to take the score past 50. In the very next over, Latham danced down the track to tower a mighty blow off Rangana Herath, as the groundsmen went on a mission to find the lost ball. At Lunch, New Zealand were firmly placed at 61/0, with both the batsmen well settled.

Sri Lanka got their first breakthrough in the 23rd over, when Chameera, bowling his second over, scalped the wicket of Latham. Chameera came back in the next over to get the better of Kane Williamson by banging the ball short, as Williamson went for the pull and mistimed it totally. Sri Lanka tottered the kiwi middle order in no time, with Rangana Herath joining the party. Guptill went for a wild slog, only to hand the ball at first slip.

Ross Taylor was the next man to go without disturbing the scores, as Chameera once again pitched the ball short and made Taylor go for it. New Zealand were 89/4 at that stage with Skipper Brendon McCullum and Mitchell Santner in the middle. Both the batsmen played cautiously and built a partnership of 39 runs before McCullum edged one to Mendis at silly point and started walking. Santner chipped in with 38 while Watling stroked 28 runs. Doug Bracewell’s unbeaten 30 ensured New Zealand end day 2 at 232/9.

Dushmantha Chameera’s fifer helped the visitors take the honours on day 2, as New Zealand will look to survive tomorrow’s morning session and stretch the score as much as possible.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka- 292 (Mathews 77; Southee 3/63)

New Zealand– 232/9 (Guptill 50; Chameera 5/47)