New Zealand Gain Edge After Fightback

At tea on the first day of the Test in Galle, Sri Lanka reached 178 for 5, with Kamindu Mendis unbeaten on 61 and Angelo Mathews contributing 36. While New Zealand claimed three wickets in the second session, a vital 72-run partnership between Kamindu and Mathews helped Sri Lanka recover from a precarious position.

Kamindu, continuing his impressive form, remained steady with a 91-ball 61. However, the session belonged to the visitors, who capitalised on key moments to keep themselves ahead.

Dinesh Chandimal, who had done well to get settled before lunch, was dismissed just four balls after the break. He chipped a length delivery from Tim Southee straight to square leg, where substitute Michael Bracewell leaped to his right to complete the catch.

While Chandimal’s wicket was attributed to a misjudgment, Glenn Phillips' dismissal of Dhananjaya de Silva was a masterclass in spin. Phillips tossed the ball up outside off stump, enticing de Silva into a drive, only for the ball to spin sharply between bat and pad to clip the top of off stump—a classic Galle-style wicket.

At 106 for 4, Sri Lanka was in trouble. Mathews, who had earlier retired hurt, returned to the crease to support Kamindu.

The pair stitched together the highest partnership of the match, with Kamindu taking the lead. Mathews adopted a cautious approach, while Kamindu kept the scoreboard ticking, playing sweeps and reverse sweeps to disrupt New Zealand's spinners—Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Phillips—who were all extracting significant turn from the Galle surface.

Kamindu’s aggressive play was particularly rewarding in a 13-run over off Patel, where he struck back-to-back boundaries, followed by another from Mathews. Kamindu reached his fifth Test fifty off 73 balls, guiding Sri Lanka into a stronger position.

However, just before tea, Will O'Rourke, who had been kept out of the attack for most of the session, returned for a quick spell and managed to find Mathews’ outside edge. O'Rourke, whose earlier efforts included removing both Sri Lankan openers, including the well-set Pathum Nissanka with a searing yorker, was rewarded again as Mathews was dismissed on the stroke of tea.

Although the ball had softened, O'Rourke made the most of his opportunities, repaying captain Tim Southee’s faith after his strong showing in the morning session. O'Rourke had also caused Mathews' earlier finger injury, which fortunately did not prevent the Sri Lankan veteran from returning to bat.

Tea Score:  

Sri Lanka 178 for 5 (Kamindu 61, Mathews 36; O'Rourke 3-48, Phillips 1-26)