Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka in driver’s seat after opening day of first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval

Sri Lanka posted 305 runs on board after Day 1.

Published - 09 Mar 2023, 12:12 IST | Updated - 09 Mar 2023, 12:12 IST

9 Min Read

The Dimuth Karunaratne-led side started brilliantly in the two-match Test series against New Zealand. Batting first, the visiting team posted 305 runs with the loss of six wickets after Day 1 of the first Test. Skipper Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis were sensational as the Lankans are in the driver’s seat after Day 1.

Now, opening the innings, the 34-year-old skipper scored 50 off 87 deliveries while Mendis smashed 87 off 83 deliveries. Meanwhile, soon after their dismissals, Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal took control of the situation and didn’t let Sri Lanka slip away from the game. After Matthews got out on 47, Dhananjaya de Silva took the matter into his own hands as he was batting on 39* at end of Day 1. Kasun Rajitha is batting alongside him as Sri Lanka looked brilliant so far.

Meanwhile, for New Zealand, nothing has gone according to plan. After their sensational win against England in the second Test of the series, they were expected to dominate the Lankans on their home turf, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Skipper Tim Southee picked up three wickets while Matt Henry picked up two but other than that, they looked very average with the ball.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka are desperate to get a win and qualify for the finals of the World Test Championship (WTC). Now, in case India lose their fourth and final Test against Australia in Ahmedabad and Sri Lanka manages to defeat New Zealand in the Test series, Dimuth Karunaratne and company will qualify for the finals and take on Australia at the Oval in June.

However, things are not going to be that easy. The pitch is expected to favour the batters and given New Zealand’s depth, they are expected to make a comeback on Day 2 of the Test match. Former skipper Kane Williamson will lead them with the bat while in-form batters Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell will have the responsibility to put New Zealand back on track.

Here's how Twitter reacted -

Nilesh G@oye_nilesh

Sri Lanka are off to a great start in a Test series vs New Zealand! Stumps Day 1 : SL are 305/6 Sri Lanka are still in contention to reach Finals of WTC #NZvsSL #NZvSL #WTC2023

11:50 AM · Mar 09, 2023

Aditi🦩@Cricket__Hater

New Zealand finding new ways to screw India over😭😭. We better win the last test I don’t trust these people at all🤒. #NZvsSL

06:52 AM · Mar 09, 2023

Jaammii..@Jaammiing

I've been saying that West Indies and England are probably the 2 teams that could benefit from bazBallz but I think you could add Sri Lanka to that list as well #NZvsSL

08:37 AM · Mar 09, 2023

aathma@aathma_h

Happiness is waking up for cricket #NZvsSL

03:38 AM · Mar 09, 2023

SHYAM PRASAD@WarnerSRH31

Kusal Mendis is played an adventurous knock so far Automatically Newzealand started to try too hatd and bowling more loose balls #NZvsSL

05:08 AM · Mar 09, 2023

Kartik@itzzzz_Kartik

New Zealand somehow find ways to get India out of World Cup race. 😅 #NZvsSL

10:48 AM · Mar 09, 2023

Indoosan@Indooshan

It was a superb start by #SriLanka Vs 🇳🇿 You don't expect 🇱🇰 to dominate the green turf on the first day Kusal Mendis was the key for their batting display! #NZvsSL #CricketTwitter

08:42 AM · Mar 09, 2023