The Galle surface for this game is different from the first Test: Luke Ronchi

The Galle surface for this game is different from the first Test: Luke Ronchi. (Twitter)

New Zealand is normally associated with being one of the better and more competitive sides when it comes to playing Test cricket. However, Day 2 of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium proved anything but that. The BlackCaps were reduced to finely divided particles from being a consolidated unit, as the Lankan batters piled on a truckload of runs as well as prolonged misery before finally declaring on a mammoth score of 602 for 5.

Batting coach of New Zealand, Luke Ronchi, with all the cricketing experience in his tank, was quick to point out the subtle difference in the track as compared to how it was in the first game of the series, interestingly played at the same venue. He also bemoaned the missed opportunities in the field, on both days, but did not fail to give credit due credits to the Lankan batting line-up.

“The surface is different (from the one for the first Test of the series). I think looking at it, just it looks dryer than the first Test that we played, and it’s just that bit harder. So, once the batters are in, it’s a nice surface. The ball gets that little bit older as well, and it makes it different. I think when you look at the bowlers, they toiled really hard, they tried different plans, different sort of tactics, to try and produce some chances, and when we did, we unfortunately missed them. But that’s just part of cricket. I think if we look back, the guys would have preferred to have taken some of them, but it’s just what happens. But, there weren’t as many today as there were yesterday. The Sri Lankans of course batted beautifully,” stated Ronchi, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

There’s still three days left, so we’ve got to make sure to bat well: Ronchi

The former wicketkeeper-batter also shared the thought process that the batters of his side should implement, and it mainly was linked with concentrating on the ultimate endeavor while keeping the minute tasks in mind, as well as taking the game as deep as possible.