Cricket: Ajaz Patel leads Black Caps fight against Sri Lanka

The Black Caps would have felt a horrible feeling of déjà vu, but Ajaz Patel was not in the mood for superstition.

Patel fired the visitors in the first test against Sri Lanka at Galle, claiming a superb five-wicket bag after a familiar Sri Lankan couple sought to take the match away from New Zealand.

The hosts were superbly positioned at 143-2 in response to New Zealand's 249, with Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews threatening to repeat their exploits in Wellington in December. There, they beat for a whole day, adding an unbroken 274 because the Black Caps bowlers had no answer to break their suit.

It was to save a test match, but today, it seemed like they were going to place Sri Lanka in a winning position. The two men joined forces at 66-2 and beat comfortably for 24 extra points. Mendis had 50 points.

Then, a balloon later, he left, trying to drive Patel last before tea, but giving the advantage to Ross Taylor. Four balls after that, when the game resumed after the break, Kusal Perera received a short ball from Trent Boult. He was not sure of playing or leaving, and finally did nothing, and the ball unchecked his ball and led him straight to the goal.

A burst of wickets ensued, Patel using a powerful drift and dip to allow Sri Lankan drummers to defend themselves and push. Lahiru Thirimanne had already had a crush on the wicket, and Dhananjaya de Silva broke the ball on his back – but with an excellent line and 18 attempts, the pirate brought back the Black Caps. in contention.

Akila Dananjaya was eliminated by Sri Somerville, who lost five wickets for 18 points, but an unbroken partnership of 66 between Suranga Lakmal and Niroshan Dickwella guided the hosts to 227 – 7 to play well.

While New Zealand is comforted by the fact that the throws at Galle proved difficult to beat in the fourth set, it will also be ruining a collapse early in the second day, forcing Patel to shoot to keep Sri Lanka in check.

Picking up at 203-5, Taylor set himself as the essential drummer for New Zealand, unbeaten on 86 and seeking to lead the final series to a competitive total.

Thus, when Taylor was sacked during the first balloon he faced, failing unnecessarily during a quick and wide delivery of Lakmal, the sequel was rather expected, the Black Caps having failed in a series of disastrous layoffs.

Mitchell Santner, the only half-recognized drummer after Taylor's early departure, attempted to leave a delivery to Lakmal but was trapped by an inswinger for 13 minutes. Tim Southee (14) hit his usual six before leaving in a comical style. his crease in confusion at a cry for lbw and be stranded halfway up. Boult (18) also had a shot, but was sidelined softly, choosing in the middle, and Patel ran a shot.

After Dananjaya eliminated all New Zealand wickets the same day, Lakmal eliminated them all at the end of the second day, finishing at 4-29, placing Sri Lanka in a prime position. The Black Caps lost their last seven wickets for 78, leaving the task to the bowlers to keep them with a chance.

Fortunately, Patel was ready for the challenge.