Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st Test, Watch Online, March 2023, Cricket Match

Sri Lanka and New Zealand faced off in the first Test match of their two-match series at the Galle International Stadium. Both teams were looking to start the series on a positive note, and the match turned out to be a closely contested affair.

THURSDAY, 09 MARCH 2023
TIME: 5:00 PM ET
TIME: 10:00 PM GMT

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Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first, which was a good decision given the conditions. The pitch was expected to turn, and Sri Lanka had a strong spin bowling attack. However, they got off to a poor start, as they lost their first three wickets for just 37 runs.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews then put on a crucial partnership for the fourth wicket, as they added 77 runs to steady the Sri Lankan innings. Karunaratne was particularly impressive, as he scored a well-constructed half-century.

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However, the New Zealand bowlers kept picking up wickets at regular intervals, and Sri Lanka never really got going. They were eventually bowled out for 267 in their first innings, with Tim Southee being the pick of the New Zealand bowlers with figures of 4-63.

New Zealand’s innings got off to a poor start, as they lost their opener Tom Latham for a duck. However, their middle order put on a strong performance, as they kept the scoreboard ticking over. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor both scored half-centuries, while Henry Nicholls scored a crucial 42.

New Zealand’s innings was also helped by some poor fielding by the Sri Lankan team. They dropped several catches, which allowed New Zealand to build partnerships and score runs. New Zealand eventually declared their innings on 285-4, with a lead of 18 runs.

In their second innings, Sri Lanka got off to a better start, as their openers put on a 64-run partnership. However, they then lost wickets in quick succession, and they were soon reduced to 93-4. It was then that Angelo Mathews once again stepped up for Sri Lanka, as he scored a brilliant century to keep his team in the game.

Mathews received some support from the lower order, as Sri Lanka managed to set New Zealand a target of 268 to win the match. The New Zealand bowlers were once again impressive, with Ajaz Patel being the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5-89.

New Zealand’s run chase got off to a poor start, as they lost both their openers within the first few overs. However, their middle order once again put on a strong performance, as they kept the scoreboard ticking over. Tom Latham, who had failed in the first innings, scored a crucial half-century, while BJ Watling scored an unbeaten 25 to guide New Zealand to victory.

The match was significant for several reasons. Firstly, it highlighted the importance of partnerships in Test cricket. Both teams had some strong individual performances, but it was the partnerships that made the difference in the match. Sri Lanka lost wickets in clusters, which prevented them from building any big partnerships, while New Zealand’s middle order put on some crucial partnerships to help them win the match.

Secondly, the match highlighted the importance of fielding in Test cricket. Sri Lanka’s poor fielding allowed New Zealand to score runs and build partnerships, which ultimately made the difference in the match. Additionally, New Zealand’s fielding was excellent throughout the match, as they took some spectacular catches and ran out some Sri Lankan batsmen.

In conclusion, the first Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was a closely contested affair that showcased some excellent individual performances and the importance of partnerships and fielding in Test cricket.

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