Tim Southee Reflects on Positives

Although New Zealand suffered a defeat in the Galle Test, captain Tim Southee found plenty of positives from his team's performance in what was the first of five consecutive Tests in subcontinental conditions.

One of the standout moments came from Rachin Ravindra, who played a superb knock of 92 in the challenging fourth innings. While he couldn't lead his team to victory, his innings demonstrated his immense potential. Ravindra had already shown glimpses of his talent during New Zealand’s last tour of India, where he contributed a crucial 18 off 91 balls to secure a draw.

Southee praised Ravindra for his determined innings, acknowledging that it kept New Zealand in contention. He remarked that the conditions were tough, with the pitch offering significant turn in the final days, and Ravindra’s performance was impressive given his limited experience in such conditions. He emphasised that Ravindra's 92 was a promising sign of his talent and potential in international cricket.

Another notable performance came from William O'Rourke, a fast bowler playing just his third Test. O'Rourke picked up an impressive eight wickets in his first Test in Asia, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Southee highlighted how O'Rourke has already made a significant impact in his short Test career and commended him for adapting well to the subcontinental conditions. He noted O'Rourke's potential for a long and successful Test career, citing his impressive skills and maturity.

However, Southee lamented New Zealand’s collapse in the first innings, where they lost their last five wickets for just 49 runs, missing the chance to build a more substantial lead. He acknowledged that the team had been in a strong position but failed to capitalise, with Sri Lanka’s spinners making the second new ball difficult to handle. Southee reflected on how pressing for a larger lead could have altered the course of the match.

Despite the loss, Southee remained optimistic, noting that there were several positives to take forward as New Zealand prepares for the next few matches in the series.