SL in NZ: Karunaratne, Chandimal resist as Sri Lanka trail by 234 runs on Day 2

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne and wicketkeeper/batsman Dinesh Chandimal kept their heads high as Sri Lanka lost four wickets and were trailing by 234 runs against New Zealand at stumps on Day 2 in the first Test in Dunedin, New Zealand today (11).

Karunaratne hit 84 and Chandimal remained unbeaten on 83 as Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals after bowling out New Zealand for 431. 

Karunaratne faced 198 balls and hit seven boundaries before Sri Lanka lost the wickets of opener Kusal Mendis (8) and debutant Udara Jayasundera (1) in quick sessions. 

From 29-2, Karunaratne found Chandimal as an ideal partner as they formed a stand 122 runs for the third wicket, before he was dismissed at 151.

Skipper Angelo Mathews was not left any room to settle down as he was sent back after adding just five runs to Sri Lanka’s total. 

Chandimal and unbeaten batsman Kithruwan Vithanage however, got together to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers as they took Sri Lanka to stumps at 197-4 on the second day. 

Chandimal’s marathon knock came off 208 deliveries and he hit nine boundaries while Vithanage faced 49 balls for his 10 not out. 

Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Mithchell Santner took a wicket each. 

New Zealand could add 21 runs to their overnight total, 409-8 as Nuwan Pradeep claimed four wickets. 

Opener Martin Guptill made 156 whiel Kane Williamson (88) and skipper Brendon McCullum (75) made half centuries. 

Sri Lanka won the toss and put New Zealand into bat. 

Udara Jayasundera made his Test debut for Sri Lanka. 

New Zealand 

First innings (409-8 overnight) 431 all out (96.1) (Martin Guptill 156, Tom Latham 22, Kane Williamson 88, Brendon McCullum 75, Doug Bracewell 47, Nuwan Pradeep 4/112, Suranga Lakmal 2/69, Dushmantha Chameera 2/112) 

Sri Lanka 

First innings 197 for 4 wickets (81) at stumps Day 2 (Dimuth Karunaratne 84, Dinesh Chandimal 83n.o, Kithruwan Vithanage 10n.o.)