New Zealand captain Tim Southee showcased his exceptional skills during the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Galle, further cementing his reputation as one of the best slip fielders in the game. Rarely do fast bowlers take up the slip position, but Southee has consistently proven that he is more than capable. His remarkable catch during Sri Lanka’s second innings added yet another highlight to his impressive career.
The moment came in the third over of Sri Lanka’s second innings, bowled by young fast bowler William O’Rourke. With a back-of-a-length delivery just outside off stump, O’Rourke generated an unexpected bounce from the pitch, surprising Sri Lankan opener Pathum Nissanka.
In an attempt to defend, Nissanka misplayed the ball, which hit the shoulder of his bat and flew towards Southee, who was stationed at second slip. In a breathtaking display of athleticism, Southee leapt to his right, fully extending his body to snatch the ball out of the air with his right hand.
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This catch not only marked the first wicket of Sri Lanka’s second innings but also exemplified a perfect team effort: O’Rourke bowled a superb delivery, and Southee finished it off with a catch of the highest caliber. Throughout his career, Southee has taken numerous spectacular catches, and this one was no exception, reinforcing his status as one of the safest fielders in the slip cordon globally.
Plucked out of thin air 🔝
Sensational from Tim Southee 👏 🔥#SonySportsNetwork #SLvNZ #TimSouthee pic.twitter.com/iu2TiyscOM
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 20, 2024
Turning to the match itself, Sri Lanka batted first and posted a total of 305 in their first innings. Young talent Kamindu Mendis continued his impressive form, scoring his third Test century in just six matches. Kusal Mendis also contributed significantly with a vital fifty. New Zealand’s O’Rourke made an impressive debut, claiming five wickets for 55 runs, while Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips took two wickets each.
In response, New Zealand’s batting lineup showed resilience, with all top seven batsmen getting starts. However, none managed to convert those into centuries, with opener Tom Latham leading the way with a score of 70. Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell both chipped in with valuable fifties, while Glenn Phillips added a brisk 49 not out at the end.
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Sri Lanka’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, were pivotal, claiming nine wickets in total, with the New Zealanders finishing their first innings at 340, securing a lead of 35 runs. At the end of Day 2, New Zealand was at 255-4, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers staged a strong comeback, keeping the match competitive. For Sri Lanka, the second innings is crucial; they will rely on their experienced batters to rise to the occasion, knowing that chasing a target in the fourth innings at Galle is always a formidable challenge.
