Half-centuries from Tom Latham and Kane Williamson guided New Zealand to 255-4 on day two of the first Test, as they closed in on Sri Lanka’s total in Galle. At stumps, the Black Caps trailed by just 50 runs, with Daryl Mitchell (41*) and Tom Blundell (18*) set to continue the chase the following morning.
Latham and Williamson both appeared poised to become the first New Zealanders to score a Test century in Galle, but fell against the run of play. Their 73-run stand helped stabilise the innings in response to Sri Lanka’s first-innings score of 305. Latham was dismissed for 55 just before tea, top-edging a sweep to backward square leg.
World No. 2 batsman Williamson followed in the final session for 70, attempting to work Dhananjaya de Silva for a single but was caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. The aggressive sweep shots by the Kiwis disrupted Sri Lanka’s spin attack, forcing the hosts to adopt a more defensive field placement.
New Zealand’s batting approach countered their usual struggles against spin in Galle, where they had previously lost all four of their Test matches. De Silva added a second wicket when he bowled Rachin Ravindra, finishing with figures of 2-31 on what was otherwise a tough day for Sri Lanka.
The morning session was delayed by rain, with fewer than five overs bowled. Sri Lanka resumed their innings at 302-7 but quickly lost their remaining wickets for just three additional runs.
New Zealand's rookie fast bowler, William O'Rourke, was the star of the Sri Lankan innings, taking 5-55—his second five-wicket haul in just three Tests since debuting against South Africa in February. In that series, he impressed with match figures of 9-93, the best for a Kiwi debutant. O’Rourke’s inclusion over the more experienced Matt Henry raised some eyebrows, but his consistent pace above 145 km/h proved instrumental in dismantling Sri Lanka’s top order on day one.
Kamindu Mendis’s century, his fourth in seven Test matches, had earlier rescued Sri Lanka from 178-5.