SL v NZ | We expected the game to ebb and flow, says Henry Nicholls after Day 1
Henry Nicholls has revealed the Kiwis expected the Galle Test to ebb and flow throughout, even as he foresees batting getting progressively tougher with each day. Off-spinner Akila Dananjaya picked up a five-wicket haul, but Nicholls (42) and Ross Taylor (86 not out) took the visitors to 203/5.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Initially, Jeet Raval and Tom Latham found the going extremely tough. However, the runs eventually started to flow. Then, just as it seemed like the Kiwi openers would safely negotiate play into lunch, both of them, and skipper Kane Williamson were back in the hut in a flash with Akila taking all three scalps to his name.
"The game ebbed and flowed a bit through that middle session. Ross and I were able to score between 3.5 to 4 an over for a while there. We expect it to be like that - ebbing and flowing. When the ball's a bit harder and it's turning a bit sharper, it will be tougher. But when you bring the seamers back, while they bowled well at times, you were also able to score a bit faster," Nicholls was quoted saying by Cricbuzz.
Post lunch, Nicholls and Taylor were added into the firefighting responsibilities to prevent another famed batting collapse at this venue. The duo added 100 runs at a good pace for the fourth wicket before the off-spinner struck again to bring the game back on terms for the hosts. Nicholls’ dismissal was soon followed by BJ Watling getting trapped plumb in front.
"When Ross and I went out after lunch it was a case of keeping it simple and expecting that the ball was going to turn and beat the bat sometimes. It's just being comfortable with that. We did a nice job for a while there. We know on these surfaces in the subcontinent when you do get a wicket sometimes it can turn into two or three. Conditions were tough at times. The ball certainly spun a little earlier than we thought, but we expected it to be turning," he said.
However, Taylor stuck with Mitchell Santner to take New Zealand to 203 for 5 before rain forced an early finish to the day's proceedings. The Kiwi left-hander was all praise for Taylor’s well-made 86 not out, but also doffed his hat to Dananjaya, who took all of the wickets to fall on the day
"With the ball turning away from left-handers he's got a few options. He's a very good bowler as well. He deserved a five-wicket bag today. First-innings runs in this part of the world are massive. We're expecting it will get harder to bat on. It's nice that Ross is not out overnight and is batting so beautifully." Nicholls added.
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