Will O’Rourke gives New Zealand the edge after gloomy first session as Sri Lanka end first session at 88/2.
Will O’Rourke was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers in an attritional first session at Galle in the first test.
The first day in Galle saw New Zealand take full advantage of the conditions, with him removing both of Sri Lanka’s openers and forcing Angelo Mathews to retire injured. Dinesh Chandimal, who was undefeated at lunch on 30 from 67 balls, was looking good for the hosts. Kamindu Mendis, in his new No. 5 post, was beside him.
With a top speed of occasionally exceeding 140 kph, the 6’4″ fast bowler demonstrated a readiness to persistently probe a hard length on the unusually grass-covered Galle pitch. O’Rourke removed Pathum Nissanka’s partner Dimuth Karunaratne in just two deliveries, even though the right-hand batter had navigated O’Rourke rather comfortably, despite a couple awkward deliveries jagging in towards his midsection.
Following a brief opening delivery, O’Rourke instantly changed to the left-hander around the wicket, but this time, the delivery seaming away from off. Karunaratne could only fend off an outside ball and edge through to the wicketkeeper with the angle following him.
But Nissanka continued on with his optimistic goal, unfazed. Midway through the sixth over, O’Rourke was struck for boundaries off both the front and back foot, pushing Sri Lanka’s run rate to six. O’Rourke got the last word when a late inswinging yorker tallied one into the base of off stump.
Despite the fact that Sri Lanka did not lose any more wickets during the session, O’Rourke was nonetheless accountable for Mathews’ exit after he was struck by a ball that nipped back from a short length. But Mathews is anticipated to go back to bat.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first on an overcast morning, O’Rourke’s early strikes had made a significant contribution to slowing down the hosts. Nissanka continued his form from the England match, hitting five boundaries in his 25-ball 27 as Karunaratne was struggling to find his game.
But after both were out, Sri Lanka’s innings practically came to a standstill. Mathews and Chandimal shared a 39-run partnership off an agonising 109 deliveries. While the latter showed some intention by hitting three fours. Mathews was remarkably restrained, scoring 12 off 55 balls before having to be forced to retire injured.