Southee steps down as New Zealand test captain, Latham takes over
Tim Southee has stepped down as test captain of New Zealand after struggling for form and has been replaced by opening batsman Tom Latham ahead of the India series.
Tom Latham Sport News
Tim Southee Replaced By Tom Latham As New Zealand Test Captain
Tim Southee stood down as New Zealand captain on Wednesday in the wake of their heavy Test series defeat in Sri Lanka and will be replaced by Tom Latham. Less than two years after inheriting the role from Kane Williamson, veteran seam bowler Southee said it is "best for the team" that he focus on his contribution as a player and wished Latham well. Opening batsman Latham, who has led the Black Caps in nine Tests, will take charge full-time on the three-Test tour of India starting in Bangalore on October 16.
2nd Test, Day 2: Sri Lanka Scent Series Victory As New Zealand 199-5 After Follow-On
Sri Lanka were just five wickets away from a crushing second Test and series victory over New Zealand on Saturday with the tourists 199-5 at stumps on third day, having followed on after collapsing to 88 all out in their first innings. Tom Blundell was not out 47 and Glenn Phillips on 32 when bad light forced an early end to play in Galle after debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris took three top-order wickets. Devon Conway, battling to save both his team and his place in the side, joined forces with former captain Kane Williamson in a dogged 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 2 Live Score Updates
SL vs NZ Live Updates, 2nd Test Day 2: Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 602/5 before declaring on Day 2 in the second Test against New Zealand at Galle. Kamindu Mendis stayed unbeaten on a fabulous 182, while Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal also notched up fantastic hundreds. In response, New Zealand got off to a shaky start, losing openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway cheaply. They ended Day 2 on 22/2, with the experienced Kane Williamson and nightwatchman Ajaz Patel at the crease, but firmly on the back foot. (Live Scorecard)
Sri Lanka Star Kamindu Mendis Breaks Vinod Kambli's 30-Year-Old Record, Equals Don Bradman In Elite Test List
New Zealand were flailing at 22-2 and trailing by 580 on Friday against a dominant Sri Lankan batting attack that saw middle-order maestro Kamindu Mendis reach 1,000 runs from just eight Test appearances. Sri Lanka declared at 602-5 shortly before stumps on day two in Galle after a 200-run partnership between Kamindu and Kusal Mendis -- the third century-plus stand of the innings. The tourists then lost their openers inside nine overs, with Tom Latham caught on the fifth ball of the innings for two and Devon Conway dismissed for nine.
Rachin Ravindra Gives New Zealand Fighting Chance In Sri Lanka Test
Rookie left-hander Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 gave New Zealand a slender chance for victory against Sri Lanka, with the tourists needing another 68 runs with two wickets in hand after day four of the first Test on Sunday. Set a target of 275, New Zealand were 207-8 at stumps with spinner Ajaz Patel, on nought, to resume with Ravindra on Monday. Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya picked up three wickets each on a sharply turning pitch in Galle, where the Black Caps have lost all four of their previous Test encounters. Ravindra's knock was the highest score by a New Zealander at the ground, eclipsing Ross Taylor's 89 in 2019.
Ravindra stands between Sri Lanka and victory in Galle test
Sri Lanka stayed on course for victory against New Zealand in the opening test in Galle despite Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 91 on Sunday.
Sri Lanka Lead By 202 Runs In First Test Against New Zealand
Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne forged a 147-run partnership to propel hosts Sri Lanka to a lead of 202 on day three of the first Test against New Zealand on Friday. Sri Lanka were 237-4 at stumps in Galle with Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva, both on 34, to resume in the morning. Karunaratne (83) was on song, punishing loose deliveries and forcing New Zealand to spread the field to protect the boundaries. Chandimal (61) was more conservative. "When you play in Galle there is a way I play, and I back that style," Karunaratne said. "Rather than trying to defend, the best way forward is sweeps and reverse sweeps on that wicket," he added.