Terrific Taylor holds firm as dangerous Dananjaya shines
Two lengthy periods of New Zealand dominance have been negated by one exceptional bowler as Sri Lanka kept the Black Caps in check on day one of the first test in Galle.
Five wickets from spinner Akila Dananjaya dented the Black Caps’ hopes of building an imposing first innings score, a task that looked likely on two occasions before Dananjaya twice claimed a quick flurry of wickets.
It still might be possible, though, if Ross Taylor has his way.
Taylor was unbeaten on 86 when the covers came on in the final session with the visitors at 203-5, anchoring the innings after his teammates couldn’t build on solid starts. The first came from the opening pairing of Jeet Raval and Tom Latham, who added 64 in 26 stoic overs to set an excellent platform in the opening innings of New Zealand’s World Test Championship campaign.
Everything was going to plan, until Dananjaya struck. Introduced into the attack in the eighth over — a sign of how important spin will be during this test — the 25-year-old turned the ball both ways with a canny mixture of deliveries, and completely changed the complexion of the innings.
Latham was the first to go, for 30, and, in what will always be a shock, skipper Kane Williamson couldn’t steady the ship; the skipper tossed overboard after just three deliveries.
Attempting to turn a Dananjaya delivery legside, Williamson was caught in two minds, eventually deciding to play off the back foot. However, the ball stuck and spun, and the deceptive bounce left Williamson popping up a catch to short midwicket.
Dananjaya’s terrific spell wasn’t over, with Raval fooled by a googly, mustering an unconvincing prod, which was taken low at slip, and reducing the Black Caps to 71-3 at lunch.
It left a recovery effort for Taylor and Henry Nicholls, and they did a stellar job, counterattacking after the break. Taylor’s footwork and aggression spread the field, aiding Nicholls, who swept well early on. Taylor had his customary runout scare — a good throw would have had him well short on 37 — but went on to reach 50 for the 49th time in tests.
Nicholls fell eight runs short of his own half-century, trapped lbw miss
ing a sweep, immediately after the pair reached a century stand. He wasted a review, on Taylor’s recommendation, something BJ Watling wasn’t tempted to do when he was also dismissed lbw by Dananjaya, just 12 balls later. Taylor remained though, with the Black Caps’ lower order needing to support him, but also find a way to negate Dananjaya.