Boult runs riot as Sri Lanka suffers

Trent Boult ran riot to leave Sri Lanka gasping as New Zealand took control of proceedings during day 2 of the first Test on Saturday (December 27) in Christchurch.

Boult returned figures of 3 for 25 in his 11 overs, as New Zealand bowled Sri Lanka out for 138 in the first innings, 303 runs behind its first-innings total of 441.

Following on, Sri Lanka fared much better the second time around as it reached 84 at stumps without losing a wicket. Sri Lanka needs 219 runs to make New Zealand bat again.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva remained unbeaten on 49 and 33 respectively when stumps were drawn.

New Zealand started the day at 429 for 7, but it was not as lucky with the bat on the second day as it lost its last three wickets for 12 runs in 32 balls. New Zealand raced to the 400-plus score on the opening day on the back of Brendon McCullum’s fiery 195.

Since McCullum’s dismissal, it seemed as if the bowlers had figured their way on the green-tinged surface as 13 wickets fell in two sessions. And Boult was central to New Zealand’s inspiring performance with the ball.

Boult got rid of Dimuth Karunaratne in the fourth ball of Sri Lanka’s innings and accounted for Kaushal Silva a few overs later. He then came on and got rid of Kumar Sangakkara for 6 runs. With its top order back in the hut, Sri Lanka needed contributions from its middle order, but New Zealand’s bowling unit never let them settle down.

Southee, who split the webbing between the thumb and forefinger on his left hand while securing the catch of Sangakkara, was effective, as were Neil Wagner (3/60) and James Neesham (2/28).

Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan skipper, was the only one who offered resistance with his calculated half-century but his dismissal to Wagner spelt the end of a Sri Lankan fight.

(Courtesy: International Cricket Council)