The hosts won the toss and opted to bat first. They lost Pathum Nissanka cheaply before Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal stitched a 122-run stand for the second wicket. Chandimal found another partner in the form of Angelo Mathews and the duo put up 97 runs for the third wicket.
Karunarathne was part of an unfortunate run-out orchestrated by Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham. He departed scoring 46 off 109 balls. Chandimal brought up his well-deserved ton as the right-handed batter 116 off 128 laced with 16 boundaries.
Mathews and Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten on 78 and 51, respectively, as Sri Lanka ended the Day 1 on 306/3 on the board. Notably, Mendis even achieved the distinctive feat of scoring the most (8) consecutive fifty-plus scores since the debut.
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For New Zealand, Tim Southee and Glenn Phillips picked a wicket apiece. Sri Lanka will aim to bat throughout on Day 2 and put up a formidable score on the board with seven wickets in hand. The pitch is expected to soften up as the game goes on and New Zealand would want take this as an opportunity to exert pressure on the hosts on Day 2. Will ORourke, who was impressive in the previous Test, went wicketless on Day 1.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to Day 1’s game:
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – 2nd test, Day 1 stumps
Sri Lanka 306-3 (First innings). It was a wonderful day for Sri Lanka.
Day highlights: Dinesh Chandimal 116, Angelo Mathews 78*, Kamindu Mendis 51*, Dimuth Karunaratne 46.#SLvsNZ #KaminduMendis #TestCricket #DineshChandimal pic.twitter.com/RvKu3hltGt
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) September 26, 2024
Great day for Sri Lanka, they are 306-3 after Day 1. They lost a wicket each in every session. New Zealand had their changes but they couldn’t grab them, they missed 3 catches & a stumping.
Sri Lanka should look to bat 2 more sessions tomorrow & take their total to around 550.
— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) September 26, 2024
DAY 1 ~ STUMPS!!!!!!!!!!
~ Sri Lanka scored 306 runs for the loss of 3 wickets.
~ New Zealand took only three wickets #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/f3nTaiTAvP
— 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 (@Fitzgerald_62_) September 26, 2024
New Zealand dropped 3 catches, some fell short off the fielders, missed 1 stumping and a wicket fell on a no ball. Srilanka with these chances are 306/3 after day 1.#SLvNZ
— Kanishk Agarwal (@kanishkdabaav27) September 26, 2024
Dinesh Chandimal brings up his 16th Test century in style, reaching the milestone in 171 balls. A well-played innings as Sri Lanka begins to strengthen their dominance over New Zealand. pic.twitter.com/YqOt9BukG1
— Mohd Sajid🇮🇳❤️ (@MohdSajid184144) September 26, 2024
217-2 Sri Lanka
ANGELO MATHEWS HAS MADE A FIFTY AGAINST NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/okZIbnWnpC
— 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 (@Fitzgerald_62_) September 26, 2024
Dinesh Chandimal notches up his 16th Test century, leading the charge for Sri Lanka in the second Test against New Zealand.#PakistanCricket #KimPau #NZvsSRI#SrivsNZ#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/tmGl6AofrW
— Abrar Ahmad (@mabrarjaffar) September 26, 2024
Another good session for Sri Lanka, could have been a wicketless one if Dimuth Karunaratne didn’t get run out. New Zealand bowlers have not looked threatening so far, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to cash in big in the last session of Day 1.
— Vipul Ghatol 🇮🇳 (@Vipul_Espeaks) September 26, 2024
Dinesh Chandimal has always been classy. Now the 16th century came in a very spectacular manner 😍👏💯#SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/arF0qOSZW6
— Ravi Kumar Sinha (@ravikumarsinha_) September 26, 2024
34-year-old Dinesh Chandimal reaches his 16th Test century! 🇱🇰 Another masterclass from him, showcasing his brilliance against New Zealand. What a player, what a knock! 🔥👏 #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/QO2qkBd7Tu
— ẞĀÂD (@_Saadi17) September 26, 2024