Ajaz Patel triggers SL collapse: 1st Test, Day 2 (Galle)

Spinner Ajaz Patel took a five wicket haul as Sri Lanka lost five wickets for 18 runs to hand the advantage back to New Zealand.

Earlier, New Zealand had resumed on 203-5 and with Ross Taylor unbeaten on 86, but when he fell to his first ball of the day, the Black Caps were bundled out for 249 soon after. Spinner Akila Dananjaya took 5-80 and paceman Suranga Lakmal took 4-29.

In reply, Kusal Mendis (53) and Angelo Mathews (50) had Sri Lanka at 143-3 before Patel (5-76) tore through the middle order - five wickets falling for 18 runs. Dickwella and Lakmal out on 66 runs for the 8th wicket to take Sri Lanka to 227-7 at stumps.

Sri Lanka 227 for 7 (K Mendis 53, Mathews 50, Dickwella 39*, Lakmal 28*, Ajaz 5-76) trail New Zealand 249 (Taylor 86, Nicholls 42, Dananjaya 5-80, Lakmal 4-29) by 22 runs.

Aug 2019.