NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand lost the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle by 63 runs but skipper Tim Southee was mighty impressed with Willam O'Rourke and Rachin Ravindra. O'Rourke picked up eight wickets in the game, while Ravindra showcased his talent in the final innings. The left-hander scored 92 off 168 in an innings where no other batter crossed the 30-run mark.
"Will's had a very short Test career so far, and he's certainly announced himself. We saw in New Zealand how dangerous he can be. He's got the skills to have a very good Test career. For him to come to his first Test in the subcontinent and walk away with a very impressive eight wickets for the match is nothing short of special. He's got a great head on his shoulders, and he's a big guy. So there's a lot to like about Will O'Rourke,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Southee as saying.
Talking about Ravindra, who missed out on his second Test ton, Southee added: “Rachin kept us in the hunt with that chase. We knew it was (a) tough ask, and that it was going to take something special, with the wicket taking a lot of turn in these last couple of days. It was a great knock in those conditions.
"It's not easy to bat - the ball was spinning, and doing all sorts of things. For a young guy without a lot of experience in this part of the world to go out and get 90-odd was great signs for him as well. He's another one that's an exceptional talent, and he's had a little taste of international cricket as well, and done exceptionally well. He's a great young kid with a good head on his shoulders."
After New Zealand dismissed Sri Lanka for 305 in the first innings, they were 269/4 at one stage. The Black Caps, however, lost five wickets in the space of 35 runs and could only manage a lead of 35 runs. That brought Sri Lanka back in the game as they went on to defend the 275-run target in the final innings.
"I guess the position where we got ourselves in, in the first innings, was good. But the last four or five fell for not many, and there was an opportunity to get a bigger first-innings lead. We knew that that second new ball was going to be tough given the nature of the wicket and the quality of the Sri Lankan spin bowlers.
"If you look at those moments, if we were able to press on and get more of a lead, things could have been different. It was still a good Test match. There's plenty of good things we can take into the next couple of days."
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