Twitter Reactions: Ross Taylor helps New Zealand fight back as Akila Dananjaya picks up five-wicket haul

It was a rain-affected day in Galle as Sri Lanka hosted New Zealand for the first Test of the two-match series. At the close of play on Day-1, the hosts seemed to have a slight advantage as Akila Dananjaya picked up a five-wicket haul. However, Ross Taylor is still unbeaten and continues to fight back as he is trying to help the Kiwis gain an advantage in the first innings.

On a decent batting surface, New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Both their openers got off to good starts and looked in good touch. However, both of them failed to capitalise on it and threw their wickets away in quick successions. While Jeet Raval scored 33 runs, Tom Latham mustered 30 runs. Moreover, Kane Williamson was also dismissed for a duck and thus New Zealand was reduced to 71/3 from 64/0.

Ross Taylor getting closer to a Test century

New Zealand seemed to be in all sorts of bother at this moment. However, Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls together put up a good fightback. The veteran cricketer showed a positive intent and played great cricket. Along with Nicholls, he added 100 runs together. But the left-hander was trapped LBW by Akila Danajaya when he was batting on 42.

Soon, the off-break bowler also dismissed BJ Watling for 1 run completing his five-wicket haul. Ross Taylor is currently unbeaten on 86 runs while Mitchell Santner is batting on 8 runs. The pitch has got something on offer for the spinners and is likely to offer more turn in the coming days. After the Kiwis batted for 68 overs on the day, there was a rain interruption. It continued to pour down hard and thus the umpires decided to call it day.

Since 22 overs were lost on the first day, play will start 15 minutes early on the second day. Twitterati was all praise for Ross Taylor for his terrific fight back on the day. Fans hope that he will get to a Test hundred on Day-2 and take the first innings total in excess of 300. On the other hand, Akila Dananjaya was the hero on the day and Sri Lanka fans couldn’t stop singing praises for him.

Here is how Twitterati reacted after the close of play on day-1:

Loving the spin friendly contest in Sri Lanka today, #SLvNZ A Quick game always a good game.

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) August 14, 2019

When Kane is unable, you can rely on Ross to steady the ship! #SLvNZ

— SIXTIMESIXTIMESIXTIME (@liverpool_98) August 14, 2019

All hail Akila Dananjaya I see #SLvNZ

— ???? Evil Scootus ???????? (@evilscootus) August 14, 2019

After the first day’s play, NewZealand is still ahead of Sri Lanka. Taylor showed why he is such a dependable batsman for NewZealand. Top class @RossLTaylor ???? But Brilliant bowling by Akila Dhananjaya. #Day1 #SLvNZ #1stTest

— Tanuj Singh (@TanujSi47701251) August 14, 2019

What a comeback from #akiladhananjaya Champion bowler. #testchampionship #SLvNZ

— Rizny Amanulla (@RiznyM) August 14, 2019

Super spell from @akila4Dananjaya . This is how you make comebacks. It’s good selectors dropped him for the WC. Now he’s motivated and hunger to perform. #SLvNZ #lka #SriLanka

— Imran MO (@moh_imran7) August 14, 2019

Ross Taylor is underrated legend #SLvNZ

— muza nkp (@MuzaqirRahman) August 14, 2019

That moment when you realize that you’ve had too many cakes before a Test match in Galle.#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/4JtlsYsOsq

— Damith Weerasinghe (@Damith1994) August 14, 2019

Rain loves cricket, it’s been trying to attend both #ENGvAUS and #SLvNZ

— Sanchita ???????? (@CforCrickett) August 14, 2019

Kane Williamson goes for duck, how’s the cake? ???? #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/YGB1WpQMUp

— Nuzaik (@ZaikSpeaks) August 14, 2019

Rain…… #Ashes
Rain….. #SLvNZ
Rain….. In port of Spain #INDvWI
????

— Amrit De (@de_argha) August 14, 2019

What a great Cricketer this Ross Taylor guy is..

— Abhishek Mishra (@Ohyessabhi) August 14, 2019

Most Test runs by active players

6810* ROSS TAYLOR
6803 Joe Root
6613 Virat Kohli
6485 Steven Smith
6373 David Warner

— Merin Kumar ™ (@merin_kumar) August 14, 2019

Trademark Ross Taylor #SLvNZ

— Chatil Panditasekara (@ChatilPandi) August 14, 2019

Interesting to watch how Rossy manages situation
Ross Taylor in huge need of a non-striker support to get big numbers on board #NZvSL #SriLanka #NewZealand

— hafiz9665 (@hafizqasmi1) August 14, 2019