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Sri Lanka and India (Source : Twitter)
New Zealand are hosting Sri Lanka in a two match Test series which promises to be more than just a one-sided affair in the favour of the hosts as there is a lot on the line for the visitors.
Sri Lanka arrived in New Zealand hoping for a 2-0 victory so that they have any chance of making it to the Test Championship final at the Oval in England in June against Australia. Even if they do win the series by a margin of 2-0, they are hoping sub-continent neighbours India suffer a defeat to the mighty Australians, only then they can qualify for the Test Championship final.
How is this first Test shaping up between New Zealand and Sri Lanka?
In the first Test match against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Sri Lanka got off to a strong start. Being given the opportunity to bat first, Sri Lanka ended the first day with a 305-6 total. With a counterattacking 87, Kusal Mendis led the Sri Lankan team in scoring. Tim Southee took three wickets for New Zealand in the meantime.
On Day 2, Tim Southee claimed a fifer as Sri Lanka was dismissed for 355 runs. As Sri Lanka was bowled out for 355, the hosts got off to a strong start with to Tom Latham and Devon Conway. Latham and Conway scored 67 runs together for the first wicket before Sri Lanka had the upper hand after three quick dismissals. Daryly Mitchell was batting at 40 when Latham was taken out of the game on 67.
Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara each grabbed two wickets as New Zealand fell to 162/5 against Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the first Test in Christchurch. Going into Day 3, the hosts are behind by 163 runs. For a second straight day, it is the visitors that would be the happier side at the end of stumps. They would be hoping to bowl the hosts out within the first session of Day 3 and get to bat soon to post a formidable total.
Fans react to another thrilling day for the Sri Lankan team:
Not a good news for India from Christchurch.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 10, 2023
New Zealand 5 down, still trailing by 204 runs on Day 2.
— TROLL PAKISTAN CRICKET (@TrollPakistanii) March 10, 2023
SL need to win both of their games in order to qualify for finals and I don’t see that happening.
— Anuj Pandey (@AnujpTweets) March 10, 2023
1 win and 1 draw Will take them to 55.55.
If India draws they’ll go to 58.79 or lose they’ll go to 56.94 and would still qualify.
So I’m very much positive.
Your take?
If India can't win series at home then do you think they deserve the spot in WTC final?
— N (@Nitinx18) March 10, 2023
Why always need to depends on other if you want to be world champion rather then depending on others depend on yourself stop this begging
New Zealand preventing India from qualifying in the final of an ICC tournament. Nothing new....
— Saptarshi (@CockerelRoyals) March 10, 2023
NZ destroying India again
— Ratnadeep (@_ratna_deep) March 10, 2023
Looks like SL will be allowed to win to prevent India to WTC finals in case this test is drawn or India loses
— Rangaraj Bindiganavile (@rangab71) March 10, 2023
TBH India does not deserve to play WTC final It will be good wake up call for team management to come out of shell and take some harsh decisions
— Irfan Shaikh (@shaikhirfan177) March 10, 2023