New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: 1st Test, Day 1 - Tim Southee Bags Five as Kiwis Stay on Top

It’s December, and teams from Down Under are up and busy with their cricketing schedule. With Australia stacked up to take on India at home, their Trans-Tasmanian neighbours, New Zealand is hosting Sri Lanka. In the first of the three Tests, the Kiwis decided to bowl first in Wellington. New Zealand was off to a great start, courtesy Tim Southee, as he picked three wickets inside four overs.

Mathews, Dickwella kept Sri Lanka sailing

For Sri Lanka, opener Dimuth Karunaratne and veteran batsman, Angelo Mathews starred with the bat. While Karunaratne scored 79 runs, Mathews hit gritty 83 off 153 balls to keep Sri Lanka in the game.

Neil Wagner, New Zealand’s Test specialist, bowled tight lines in his 20 overs. Whereas, Ajaz Patel, who was instrumental on the UAE tour bowled just three overs. For the hosts, the pace bowling duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee was on the top of their game.

Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka’s captain, didn’t get going, as he managed just six runs. Sri Lanka was reeling at 187 for six at one stage, and it appeared their first innings would get wrapped inside 200.

However, it wasn’t the case, as wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella hit the fourth gear and summed up 73 runs off 91 deliveries with ten fours to his name.

Tim Southee bags five-wicket haul in Wellington

Tim Southee’s eighth five wicket bag in Test cricket is already on the honours board! #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/xEAaYGGSGi

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 15, 2018

As the batting trio put some runs on the board, it was Tim Southee who bagged his 8th five-wicket haul in Tests. Meanwhile, Boult and Grandhomme had picked a wicket each.

Moreover, Sri Lanka, at stumps on day one in Wellington was 275 for nine with Dickwella still there at the crease on 73. On day two, Sri Lanka would want to push for 300 at least to give something to their bowlers in the Test.

Brief Score –

Sri Lanka 275 for nine (Angelo Mathews 83(153), Tim Southee 5/67)