New Zealand vs Sri Lanka First Test Day 1

Tags: Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2015-16, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, New Zealand v Sri Lanka 1st Test at Dunedin, Dec 10-14, 2015

Published on: Dec 11, 2015

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Martin Guptill century drives New Zealand towards big first inning score

New Zealand 409 for 8 (Guptill 156, Williamson 88, McCullum 75) v Sri Lanka ( Yet to bat )
Martin Guptill scored a fabulous century to put New Zealand towards a huge first inning total on day 1 of the first Test in Dunedin. First Guptill and Kane Williamson and then Brendon McCullum provided the firework which helped New Zealand to post in excess of 400 runs in 90 overs. Guptill scored his third Test century as the hosts ended the days play for 409 at the loss of 8 wickets.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lankan skipper Mathews had won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat. Playing for his place literally, Guptill started his inning positively and he was well supported by Kane Williamson on the other end. Williamson was just shy of 12 runs off his 13th Test century when Karunaratne caught him in the first slip off Pradeep. Guptill and Willamson added 173 runs for the second wickets and this partnership led the foundation and provided the needed momentum for Ross Taylor and McCullum to follow. Williamson never looked in hurry to score quickly but he still scored at a healthy rate. This can be last Test match of Brendon McCullum in his home ground as he is expected to retire from international cricket after the T20 world cup. McCullum scored 75 runs off 57 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and one six. He was caught by Kithuruwan Vithinage in trying to sweep Milinda Siriwardana. Doug Bracewell was unbeaten on 32 and Neil Wagner yet to score at stumps on the first day of the first Test at Dunedin.
For most part of the day’s play, New Zealand batsmen were all over Sri Lanka but late in the day, Sri Lanka got some crucial breakthrough to restrict the hosts. Dushmantha Chameera then got rid of both Mitchell Santner (12) and BJ Watling (five) to check the scoring rate before Guptill and Tim Southee (two) fell to Mathews and Suranga Lakmal respectively. Guptill edged a delivery off Mathews to be caught by wicket keeper with just five overs to go in the day.
Sri Lankan bowlers had a tuff day with the ball. They opted to ball first but got only one wicket in the first session of Tom Latham for 22. At drinks in the final session New Zealand were 3-318 but quickly lost a handful of wickets.

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