Twitter Reactions: A steady start puts New Zealand in comfortable spot after bad light forces early stumps on Day 1

After a thrilling last-ball victory in the first Test of the series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand will now aim to get another win in their bag and register Test series victory after a long time. However, given their performance in the last match, the Dimuth Karunaratne-led side will not make it easy for the home side even after having a pretty average day on the field.

Notably, the Wellington Test was delayed after rain spoiled the first session of the day. An early lunch was taken and after a thorough inspection, the match began in the afternoon with Sri Lanka opting to field first. The motive was to take advantage of the conditions and put New Zealand on the back foot right from the start but the Lankan bowlers couldn’t do the kind of damage they did in the first Test.

Opener Tom Latham started well but once again failed to convert it. Kasun Rajitha got the better of him in the 26th over of the match as Prabath Jayasuriya picked up an easy catch. His opening partner Devon Conway however was brilliant with the bat. The 31-year-old scored 78 off 108 deliveries before Dhananjaya de Silva got the better of him. At the end of Day 1, Kane Williamson was batting alongside Henry Nicholls, whose form is currently under the scanner. 

The Christchurch-born cricketer struggled a lot in the last few months and if he fails to deliver once again, the 31-year-old may eventually lose his place in the playing XI. On the other hand, Williamson got a good start as he is currently batting on 26 after 76 deliveries. In order to post a healthy score in the first innings, it’s important that Williamson stays on the crease and play his natural cricket.

Meanwhile, the Lankan bowlers need to improve on Day 2 as New Zealand posted 155 runs on board with the loss of two wickets after the first day. The pacers have looked pale so far and that needs to change as the conditions are perfect for them to excel. 

Here's how Twitter reacted -

Pappa@pappabearhbc

Kane Williamson now has the 3rd best test average at home in the history of test cricket - behind only Don Bradman and Garfield Sobers. Hail the great man! 🙏🙏 @BLACKCAPS #NZvsSL

10:06 AM · Mar 17, 2023

10

Lahiru Dilshan@LahiruDilshan3

Another poor team selection by SL. Only 3 seamers in this green pitch with overcast conditions. Spinners are not going to play a major role in NZ conditions. Madushka is thrown into the deeper end. Hope he'll play well. Just don't judge him by this test. 🤷 #NZvSL #NZvsSL

08:08 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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Alpha Mike ↗️@Alpha_V18

Imagine the viewership and excitement for 2nd #NZvsSL test starting today, had NZ lost the 1st test.. 😅 This could became the most watched #NZvSL test ever!

06:07 AM · Mar 17, 2023

60

Sahil Pednekar 🇮🇳♥️@SahilPednekar18

Most 50+ Scores for New Zealand in Tests since 2021: Devon Conway - 12* Daryl Mitchell - 12 Tom Blundell - 10 Tom Latham - 9 Will Young - 6 #NZvSL #Cricket

09:52 AM · Mar 17, 2023

00

Sportify@champikafernand

Terrific catch off his own bowling from @dds75official to dismiss Devon Conway for 78. He dives low to his right to complete a great return catch.

09:49 AM · Mar 17, 2023

31

I am ʙᴍᴄ ꜱᴜᴍᴏɴ@NZcricketfans

Devon Conway bring up 8th Tests half-century. 👏 🇳🇿🏏 #NZvsSL

09:31 AM · Mar 17, 2023

51

curiousbachha@prabhat36739993

Every time Devon Conway scores the kid inside me feels happy for him।। Next माइकल हसी may be । #NZvSL #Devonconway

09:12 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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Frank@GregAFC

Hi Henry Nicholls- if you watch Devon Conway… yeah, do that.

09:12 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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SI Cricket Talks@sicrickettalks

Bad light stops play and that’ll probably be stumps as well. The day definitely belongs to @BLACKCAPS as they’ve reached 148-2. @OfficialSLC will be disappointed with their bowlers as they were indisciplined after asking #NewZealand to bat first on a green top. #NZvsSL

11:15 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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vineet jacob@JacobVineet

Not played as bad as it looked or did the Sri Lankan bowlers not hit the right lines and lengths, #CricketTwitter ?????? #SLvsNZ #NZvsSL #NZvSL #SLvNZ

11:09 AM · Mar 17, 2023

00

ʀᴋ ⁷@RanjithKumar___

Waiting for Test 28th Century Kane Williamson ✨ NZvSL

10:18 AM · Mar 17, 2023

10

ICC@ICC

Bad light sees stumps called early on the opening day of the second #WTC23 Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Watch #NZvSL live on ICC.tv (in select regions) 📺

11:18 AM · Mar 17, 2023

40014

Chennai Super Kings@ChennaiIPL

𝓒𝓸𝓷sistency at the 🔝 reassured 🔁 #NZvSL #WhistlePodu 🦁💛

11:07 AM · Mar 17, 2023

1.6K101

Mike@VictoriaGooner

2nd Test, Day 1, Stumps. Bad weather and bad light have largely dominated the action. NZ 155/2 (48 ov) (KS Williamson 26, HM Nicholls 18) *Toss SL, chose to field #NZvSL #WTC23

11:40 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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◻️ABHIRAT◻️@75thTon

Early Stumps you know Reason you don't 😂👍 Cows have Interrupted the match Match will Resume tomorrow #NZvSL

11:35 AM · Mar 17, 2023

21

CricketFunz Official@cricketfunz

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Suspended!! #NZvSL #Cricket

11:32 AM · Mar 17, 2023

00

SI Cricket Talks@sicrickettalks

Bad light stops play and that’ll probably be stumps as well. The day definitely belongs to @BLACKCAPS as they’ve reached 148-2. @OfficialSLC will be disappointed with their bowlers as they were indisciplined after asking #NewZealand to bat first on a green top. #NZvsSL

shazeen ifamy@ShazeenIfamy

@sicrickettalks @BLACKCAPS @OfficialSLC @OfficialSLC aren’t helping themselves here. They won the toss which is a big advantage but indisciplined bowling and poor fielding cost #SriLanka the advantage. Hard day of play ahead tomorrow. #NZvSL

11:23 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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Sports Geeez@Sportsgeeez

NZ vs SL 2nd Test Day 1: After a delay start New-Zealand scored 155/2 at stumps after Devon Conway's 78. Kasun Rajitha & DDS picks the 2 wkts. Williamson & Henry Nicholls batting at the end of the day. #NZvSL

11:20 AM · Mar 17, 2023

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