How many times do we get to see the batsman being bowled but not walking off the pitch towards the dressing room? A similar situation came up during the ongoing Test when New Zealand took on Sri Lanka in the 2nd Test in Hamilton.

It was the fifth ball of the 10th over. Doug Bracewell was the one with the ball, running towards Kusal Mendis, the batsman. The ball was one beauty, where it came in towards the batsman after hitting the deck, missed the batsman’s outside edge and clipped the stumps. But wait, the ball just scratched the stumps and went through to the keeper but the bails weren’t dislodged from its place.

Bracewell along with other Black Cap teammates were left surprised and disappointed. Mendis, being the very lucky one here, managed to stay on the crease even after the ball hit his stumps but luckily didn’t dislodge the bails on it.

Sri Lanka, put on to bat by the home team, managed to put up 264/7 at the close of day 1 of the second Test. The green Test didn’t trouble the batsmen much as the Lankan lions kept on scoring runs even when New Zealand were successful in double-striking the visiting side at regular intervals.

Mendis, looking aggressive on the opening front couldn’t extend his stay at the crease as he fell prey to a Tim Southee delivery which, this time, found his outside edge and went to the man with gloves behind him, BJ Watling. Angelo Mathews was the top-scorer here with 63 n.o. as he’ll be the one to start the proceedings along with tail-ender Chameera tomorrow. The play starts half an hour early on the second day, the cause being rain shortening the play on the first day on the second Test by 23 overs towards the end.

 

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