Christchurch: Sri Lanka scored 305 runs for the loss of 6 wickets on the first day of the first Test against New Zealand.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to field in this Test match which started yesterday in Christchurch. Opener Oshada Fernando was bowled by Tim Southee for 13 runs when the Sri Lankan team opened the batting. After this, Kushal Mendis, who came into the field, quickly added runs along with captain Dimuth Karunaratne. Kushal Mendis scored a stunning half-century off 40 balls with 11 fours. It was his 16th half-century.
Tim Southee was lbw after Kushal Mendis scored 87 runs off 83 balls with 16 boundaries. Kushal Mendis added 137 runs along with Karuna Rathne for the 2nd wicket. Karuna Rathne, who passed his 31st half-century, scored 50 off 87 balls with 7 boundaries before being dismissed by Matt Henry. Dinesh Chandimal 39, Angelo Mathews 47, Niroshan Thikwela 7 runs after this.
Sri Lanka scored 305 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 75 overs when the first day’s play was called off due to insufficient light. Dhananjaya de Silva was unbeaten on 39 and Kasan Rajitha was unbeaten on 16. Tim Southee 3, Matt Henry 2, Michael Bracewell took 1 wicket for New Zealand. The Sri Lankan team continues to play today’s 2nd day match with 4 wickets in hand.
