Twitter Reactions: Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls floor Sri Lanka as New Zealand make merry of the opposition

While Australia are going down like ninepins at home against India at the MCG, their Trans Tasman rivals New Zealand are dominating the other Asian side like anything. After getting bowled out for 178 in the first innings, they first dismantled Sri Lanka for 104 thanks to Trent Boult’s wicket-taking spree and then have batted them out of the game by amassing 585 runs for the loss of only four wickets.

Starting the third day already in a dominating position, the Kiwis lost Ross Taylor early in the morning and unfortunately for the visitors, that was the only success until Tea arrived. During the wicketless period, Henry Nicholls and Tom Latham pummelled the opposition bowlers. It was a pure Test match batting but the tired Sri Lankan bowlers kept on offering the freebies and looked resigned to their fate.

The fact that the part-time bowlers Danushka Gunathilaka and Dimuth Karunaratne bowled as many as twenty over is a testament to the fact that they were just waiting for the declaration to come the whole day.

Latham’s golden run and defiant Nicholls

Meanwhile, Latham and Nicholls made merry of the bowling and had fun in the middle. The duo added 214 runs for the fourth wicket and was extremely determined. Latham, in the process, got to his second successive century while Nicholls also crossed the three-figure mark easily. Just when one felt that the Kiwi opener will make yet another double-hundred, Dushmantha Chameera strangled him down the leg-side for 176.

But the wicket only brought Colin de Grandhomme to the pitch who was probably hurting after being dropped from the ODI squad. He smashed a 28-ball half-century which is also the fastest fifty for the Kiwis in their Test history. He and Nicholls stitched 124 runs together in just 87 balls to finally declare at 585/4 after 153 overs.

A target of 660 runs for Sri Lanka was virtually impossible to get. Moreover, their openers were tired after fielding for so many overs and both were scalped by the dream duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis then bravely batted through the day to end on 24/2 after 14 overs. It is a tall ask for the visitors now to bat out for the next two days as the defeat looks inevitable for them.

Here’s how Twitter reacted during the day:

Tom Latham has spent 1,319 minutes at the batting crease alone this Test series against Sri Lanka. A few ticks away from 22 hours #NZvSL

— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) December 28, 2018

“It was great to bat with Henry on our home ground in front of our fans – a special day.” – Tom Latham with @radiosportnz post day three #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/uFKixSeWcO

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 28, 2018

Tom Latham – Another top innings … !!!

Henry Nicholls – Highest Test Score … !!!

Colin De Grandhomme – Fastest Test 50 for NZ … !!!

Impact of all the above: 660 to chase for Sri Lanka … !!!#NZvSL #NZvsSL

— Chandramouly Sethuraman (@Theupdateking) December 28, 2018

Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls 🙌Two unassuming batsmen with a spectacular 2018. #NZvSL

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 28, 2018

Funky note for cricket nerds:

Jeet Raval, BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme all used Kookaburra bats previously.

Now all three use SS bats.#NZvSL

— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 28, 2018

And I wish Australia would have a batsman like Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls And Kane Williamson where they can tackle opponents venom everywhere no matter what venue or pitch it is! #NZvSL #AUSvIND

— Narcissist Alexander (@Ricky_nishes257) December 28, 2018

Tom Latham seems to be having a good series

— simon bennett (@felixeemopener) December 28, 2018

Well batted Tom Latham. Not a bad start to the home summer, sir.

— Heather (@HDiddyNZ) December 28, 2018

Tom Latham scored 450 runs in 2 matches 😐 majak chal rha hai yaha#NZvSL

— The Dark Circle Rises (@Buy1GetNone) December 28, 2018

Tom Latham 🔥
First Test 264 *
Second 176 👏#NZvSL

— அஜய் (@ajay_offcl) December 28, 2018

Kiwis are on course to become a top test side. With Willamson & Taylor as reliable senior batsmen, Tom Latham, Rob Nicols, Watling all have established themselves as successful test batsmen

— Waqar Hafeez (@WaqarEY) December 28, 2018

Take a bow Tom Latham. The man is really holding down that opening test spot. Brilliant summer for him so far.

— Anton Posa (@antonposa) December 28, 2018

Tom Latham vs Srilanka in this series!

1st test – 264*

2nd test – 10 , 176

Fantastic batting!#NZvSL

— HappY 🇮🇳 (@Cricketician_) December 28, 2018

Fantastic knock Tom Latham. Really stood up in both test with 2 massive centuries #NZvSL

— Scott Hunt (@IamNotJonahHill) December 28, 2018

Me watching the cricket: "I wonder if they'll stay out there and let Tom Latham get a double hundred."
Next ball…..out.

— Gerald Piddock (@GeraldPiddock) December 28, 2018

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