GALLE: Partnerships were the name of the game as New Zealand put together some crucial runs to get within 50 runs of Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 305 at stumps on day two in Galle. There were brisk fifties from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra also put in aggressive cameos. By the time the extra-long final ended 15 minutes early due to poor light, there were more names on the list as Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell put on an unbeaten 59 off 105. Their tally was the fourth 50+ innings on a day that almost entirely belonged to the visitors . All this came despite a rain-limited morning session in which only 15 minutes of play could be played. But that was all New Zealand needed to get Sri Lanka the remaining three wickets. Sri Lanka’s best moments of the day were precisely those – the moments – when their bowlers struggled to string together all periods of joint pressure. Despite the spin offering the surface, none of the four spinners used by the hosts were able to find consistent lines and lengths – whether due to the strong breeze across the stadium or the proactivity of the New Zealand batsmen with their footwork. like various sweeps. The hosts were also unable to build on any of the wickets falling and each new batting settled quickly. Only Dhananjay de Silva’s burst to dismiss Williamson and Ravindra in two overs offered a glimmer of Sri Lankan dominance, but Mitchell and Blundell quickly extinguished that hope. The remaining figures of spinners told the story. Prabath Jayasuriya toiled for 31 overs at 99 for 1, easily the worst result in Galle so far, while Ramesh Mendis had 17 overs for 69 to claim a solitary scalp. Kamindu Mendis was used for just one which was used for eight. Earlier in the day, it was Latham and Williamson who proved to be Sri Lanka’s tormentors. Latham in particular provided the blueprint during his 111-ball 70, both with his footwork and even more so with his prolific use of sweep and back-sweep. While Devon Conway was never close to his best, working his way to 17 off 59 deliveries, Latham more than made up for it at the other end. That set up a solid opening stand of 63, one over against the run of play – and on review – with Conway missing one from Ramesh Mendis, who straightened up the pitch. Instead of putting Sri Lanka back in the lead, the wicket only accelerated New Zealand’s progress as Williamson easily matched Latham’s urgency. The former skipper cut, pulled and raised two boundaries and a six in his first 14 deliveries, and although that rate of scoring was never sustained, the wayward lines of the Sri Lankan spinners combined with the expert maneuvering of Williamson and Latham. meant that dot balls were rarely joined together.
