aggressive double century Kane Williamson and Henry Nichols New Zealand’s dominance was reinforced in Wellington’s second Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday. The Blackcaps claimed their first innings with a stunning 580-4 record before cutting Sri Lanka to 26-2 stumps on the second day, giving the visitors the prospect of a draw in the two-match series very slim. An in-form Williamson scored 215 points, Nichols hit a career-best 200 and the duo’s 363 threes almost sent Sri Lanka out.
Their partner, the fifth-highest of any New Zealand combination, became the first batsman in the country to reach 200 in the same innings.
Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne Sunday and Night Watch to resume on 16th Paba Jayasuriya Still four points, the deficit was a staggering 554 points.
The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to create dynamism on the flat Basin Reserve pitch, forcing Karunaratne to set up the defensive ground for much of the huge partnership.
Williamson and Nichols hit the ball in lively fashion from the start, catapulting from a 155-2 run overnight and barely showing as they unleashed a series of scoring drives over the first two quarters. question.
Williamson hit triple figures for the third time in consecutive Tests, becoming the first New Zealander to pass 8,000 runs.
It was a sixth double century for the 32-year-old – his 121-game unbeaten run came into play in a last-ball first Test in Christchurch earlier this week. played a key role.
After the restart in the 26th, Williamson hit 23 fours and two sixes before hitting long-range spinner Jayasuriya as he tried to improve his scoring rate.
Nichols moved from his overnight 18 points to triple figures before surpassing his previous high of 174 points.
His aggressive 240 at-bats, including four sixes, represented a stunning comeback for the left-hander, whose place on the team was under pressure after falling short of 40 pitches in his first 15 innings.
Nichols said he was aware of the criticism of his ongoing selection, but said he felt comfortable with the support of his teammates and coach Gary Stead.
“Everyone on the team is great, you really feel that support,” he said.
“For me, it’s just believing that I’ve done it before. In the last period, it didn’t happen the way I hoped it would.
“The challenge now is to do it again knowing the blueprint is there.”
– ‘missed our length’ –
Nichols compared the partnership to Williamson’s 369 against Pakistan in Christchurch two years ago.
“The way Kane plays, he’s in a real zone. It’s a pleasure to turn this partnership into another very important one.”
Kasun Rajitha, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury, pitched 2-126 for the best bowling stats.
Sri Lankan spinner Danan Jayade Silva Said the tourists were guilty of giving the Double Centurion too much leeway.
“Obviously Kane and Henry hit the ball very well. We have to be at our best when we face those players but we missed our length,” he said.
De Silva said Sri Lanka had not given up on tying the series, although he admitted that a win would be difficult.
“We don’t play for a draw, we play for a win.
“So we have to play at least a day and a half. We’ll see what happens,” he said.
Their response started off poorly.
Matt Henry Remove opener Oshada Fernando by six before fellow-seamer Doug Bracewell fired Kusalmendis Didn’t score through a great catch Devon Conway.
It was Bracewell’s third ball of the tournament and his first Test in more than six years.
(This story was not edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from syndicated feeds.)
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