New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test Day 1: Conway hits 78 as New Zealand dig in on opening day

Devon Conway hit a sizzling 78, off 108 balls, to help hosts New Zealand race to 155-2 against Sri Lanka at the end of a rain-delayed opening day of the second Test on Friday in Wellington.

Match Summary

New Zealand *155/2 (48 ov)

Sri Lanka Stumps : Day 1

Sri Lanka elected to bowl

SCORECARD

Match Day Analysis

Conway fell short of a hundred as he was caught and bowled by Dhananjaya de Silva, who dived low to his right to get both hands on a superb catch, to end a thrilling 108-ball knock. 

First-Test hero Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 26 alongside Henry Nicholls on 18 when bad light stopped play at the Basin Reserve after Sri Lanka won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat in blustery conditions.

"I was gutted to get out when I did, I had put in all the hard work," Conway said. 

"Those are the ones you want to kick on and make the most of it on day one... We just have to focus on tomorrow now."

New Zealand started strong, with Conway and Tom Latham putting on an opening partnership of 87, after the 2,500th Test match in cricket history was hit by a damp start. 

Heavy overnight rain delayed the toss until after lunch. 

Latham fell for 21 around the halfway point of the day's curtailed proceedings when he spooned a Kasun Rajitha delivery to deep square, into the hands of Prabath Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne opted to give his bowlers an early opportunity to use a green wicket to attack the New Zealand batters.

Conway responded by smashing 13 fours in a fiery knock.

Sri Lanka made one change from the team that lost the first Test on the final ball in Christchurch, with wicketkeeper Nishan Madushka making his debut in place of Niroshan Dickwella.

New Zealand were forced into a single switch with seamer Doug Bracewell playing his first Test since 2016, replacing Neil Wagner, who tore a hamstring in the first Test.

It is the first time Bracewell has played a Test match alongside his cousin Michael.

New Zealand are chasing a third straight Test win.

 

Match Stats

New Zealand Fall of wickets: 1-87 (Tom Latham - 25.1 ov), 2-118 (Devon Conway - 35.4 ov)

Sri Lanka 

Playing XIs

New Zealand: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(WK), Michael, Bracewell, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee(C), Matt Henry, Blair Tickner

Sri Lanka: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne(C), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka(WK), Kasun Rajitha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando

 

Match Details:

Date: Thursday, March 16, 2023 22:00

Venue: Basin Reserve, Wellington, Wellington

Toss: Sri Lanka elected to bowl