NZ win by an innings and 58 runs as Sri Lanka’s last resistance falls Dhananjaya 98, Madushka 39
By Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lanka lost the second test to New Zealand by an innings and 58 runs despite a fight back mounted by a fifth wicket partnership of 126 between Dhananjaya de Silva who scored 98 and Dineth Chandimal 62 off 92 (8×4) and sixth wicket partnership of 76 between de Silva and debutant Nishan Madushka who made 39 off 93 (4×4, 1×6).
It was all over in the post tea final session when Sri Lanka’s last two recognised batsmen Dhananjaya de Silva and Nishan Madushka, who had come together at the fall of Chandimal’s wicket, fell within the space of five balls having defied New Zealand’s bowlers that included a hostile new ball attack in a resilience that took the Lankans past the 300-mark. Madushka, in his debut appearance, who had weathered New Zealand’s early offensive to reaching 34 off 56 deliveries hitting 3 boundaries and a six and stone walled to moving to 39 in the next 37 deliveries in leading Dhananjaya de Silva on as his senior partner approached three figures, however, perished to a soft dismissal chasing a half pitched delivery by Blair Tickner in holing out to Matt Henry. He departed with the score 318 having stood up to 30 overs together with de Silva. When Dhananjaya de Silva fell five balls later without addition to the score with Sri Lanka still trailing by 98 the game was good as over for the visitors.
Late order resistance in the form of Kasun Rajitha who made 20 off 110 held up the hosts a further 35.3 overs. The day as it was started badly for the Lankans when the overnight pair of Mendis 50) and Angelo Matthews (1) perished without adding a run.
CHIEF SCORES: New Zealand 580/4 decl. Sri Lanka 164 & 318 (142 Overs) (Dimuth Karunaratne 51, Dhananjaya de Silva 98, Dinesh Chandimal 62, Kusal Mendis 50, Nishan Madushka 39, Kasun Rajitha 20, Blair Tickner 3/84, Tim Southee 2/51, Michael Bracewell 2/100, Doug Bracewell 1/58)
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