Kane rues ‘wrong option’
A pitch misread and a needlessly reckless shot left New Zealand captain Kane Williamson pained by their six-wicket defeat to a more patient Sri Lanka in the first cricket test.
In shades of their last tour seven years ago, the Black Caps will head to Colombo’s P Sara Oval on Thursday needing victory to level the two-match series after defeat in Galle.
In 2012 they suffered a 10-wicket loss in Galle before roaring back with a 167-run victory in Colombo.
This opening defeat wasn’t so comprehensive and the Black Caps missed some chances to take control in a seesawing test before the hosts got home by six wickets chasing 268 on Sunday.
Poor returns from the New Zealand top five were a significant factor in their defeat as they scored 249 and 285 after winning a crucial toss, on a pitch with more grass than usual which took turn but didn’t become a minefield.
The second innings was bailed out by BJ Watling (77), Will Somerville (40 not out) and the rest of the tail after they slumped to 98-5. Batting mainstays Williamson (4) and Ross Taylor (3) both departed in quick succession charging at young left-arm spinner Lasith Edbuldeniya, and Williamson’s regret was obvious when asked.
‘‘Personally I was looking to be a little bit too positive when it wasn’t really required. In hindsight that wouldn’t have been the option,’’ he said.
‘‘The wicket was getting slower rather than deteriorating and there were less good deliveries in terms of balls spitting out of the rough which you get used to when you play in this part of the world.
‘‘It wasn’t to be, and the guys who were much more patient were a lot more successful. There’s a lot for all of us to learn from.’’
Williamson’s scores of 0 and 4 added up his second-lowest total of a 73-test career where he averages 52.5 and is ranked second behind India’s Virat Kohli.
Again it summed up how vital the skipper’s runs are to the Black Caps’ success, and how rare such loose shots are. In the past two years when they won five straight series, rose to No 2 in the world and lost just once, Williamson topped 1000 runs at an average of 68.
Sunday’s second defeat in that period ensured the end of their streak of five series victories and snuffed out their hopes of moving past India to No 1 on the rankings, which required a 2-0 Sri Lankan sweep.
The chances of Williamson missing out again are slim, and like all his team-mates will be better for the run. Playing their first test since early March, on one warmup game that was washed out before they could bat, a bounceback victory in shades of 2012 is a distinct chance given how tight a struggle game one was.
Changes will be minimal, with Mitchell Santner the most under threat after bowling 24 wicketless overs and scoring 13 and 12.
Depending on conditions which are expected to be bouncier, either legspinner Todd Astle or seamer Colin de Grandhomme could come in to fill that No 7 spot.
Astle was unlucky to miss out with his legspin a point of difference, while Somerville and Ajaz Patel were good in tandem and will continue after taking 10 of the 14 Sri Lankan wickets.