Mitchell Santner registers his first 50-plus Test score since 2019
New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner showcased some serious grit against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Galle, albeit in a losing cause. He batted remarkably well with the tail-enders and scored a fine 67 in NZ's second innings. He went down as the visitor's last wicket in the match as SL won by an innings and 154 runs. This was Santner's first 50-plus score in Tests in almost five years.
Phillips and Santner continue New Zealand's fightback
Santner arrived to bat on Day 4 morning with the scorecard reading 216/6. He joined forces with Glenn Phillips (78) and the duo kept on fighting. Their partnership added 64 runs before Phillips was caught at long-on for a solid 78. Santner completed his fifty in the second session before falling to debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris. His knock meant NZ finished at 360/10 while following on after receiving a 514-run deficit.
Santner and Ajaz's partnership delayed Sri Lanka's victory
It must be noted that Santner and Ajaz Patel (22) added 53 runs for ninth wicket. Both batters headed into the lunch break unbeaten, pushing Sri Lanka's victory even further. This late resistance from New Zealand's lower order added an unexpected twist. However, the hosts swiftly took the remaining two wickets in the second session.
A Test fifty after almost five years for Santner
Santner, who failed to take a wicket in the game, made a 115-ball 67 (6 fours, 3 sixes). He was also NZ's top-scorer in the first innings (29). As per ESPNcricinfo, he has raced to 904 runs across 24 Tests at 24.43 (50s: 3, 100: 1). He owns 179 runs against SL at 19.88. This was his first 50-plus Test score since November 2019.
How did the game pan out?
Sri Lanka had three centurions in the form of Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Mendis in their first innings score of 602/5d. NZ were asked to follow on as they managed just 88/10 in their first outing. Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed six batters. Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner scored fiftes in NZ's second outing. However, their efforts went in vain.
