Tom Latham’s 29th Test fifty and a busy Kane Williamson led New Zealand’s fightback in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Latham, who scored a fluent 70 off 110 balls, helped New Zealand reach 136 for 2 at tea, trailing Sri Lanka’s 305 by 169 runs. Latham fell just before the break, but not before ensuring New Zealand had nearly halved the deficit.
Sri Lanka’s spinners struggled with their control throughout the session, battling a strong breeze that swept across the stadium. Right-arm quick Lahiru Kumara was the only bowler to maintain a consistent threat. Latham took full advantage of the spinners’ difficulties, showing great footwork and employing the sweep and reverse sweep with precision. His opening partner Devon Conway, however, labored to 17 from 59 deliveries, never looking at his fluent best. The pair put together a solid opening stand of 63, with Conway dismissed against the run of play, missing a straight delivery from Ramesh Mendis.
Williamson then joined Latham and immediately injected urgency into the innings. The former captain struck boundaries and a six in his first 14 deliveries, and though he slowed down later, his and Latham’s expert maneuvering kept the pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers. Their 73-run partnership, coming off just 120 balls, was eventually broken when Latham top-edged a sweep off Prabath Jayasuriya, caught at backward square leg just before tea.
Earlier, a rain-affected morning session saw New Zealand wrap up Sri Lanka’s innings for 305, with Will O’Rourke claiming two more wickets to finish with figures of 5 for 55.
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