Lakmal five-for skittles New Zealand out for 178
SL post 88/4 on Day 1 in 2nd Test
Thursday, 27 December 2018
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Dec 26 (AFP): Suranga Lakmal and Tim Southee vied for early honours as 14 wickets fell to leave the deciding second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka evenly poised on day one in Christchurch on Wednesday.
After Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl, Lakmal produced a career-best five for 54 as New Zealand crumbled and were all out for 178 in 50 overs.
At stumps, Sri Lanka were 88 for four in reply with Angelo Mathews not out 27 and Roshen Silva on 15 while Southee had three for 29.
The 31-year-old right-arm quick rarely gets a chance to shine in the sub-continent where spinners dominate, but the green Hagley Oval wicket and heavy cloud cover were ripe to be exploited.
Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal celebrating with teammate Kusal Mendis after New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson being caught during day one of the second Test at Hagley Park Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday — AFP