New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke picked his second five-wicket haul in his third test and also becomes the second youngest player to pick fifer at Galle.
The hosts ended their first innings on 305 on Day 02 of the first test of the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024. Sri Lanka resumed from 302 runs in Galle but scored only three runs for just three wickets.
O’Rourke managed consistent speeds of 145 kph to break the defenses in the top order on Day one before picking his final two wickets, Ramesh Mendis and Asitha Fernando.
Making his mark. Will O’Rourke claimed his 2nd Test 5-for as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 305 on day 2 in Galle. Follow the 1st Test LIVE in NZ on @skysportnz with scoring at https://t.co/yOYwdofZHz #SLvNZ 📷 = SLC pic.twitter.com/oVjrEH9tPY
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 19, 2024
It is his second five-wicket haul after picking 9/93 runs against South Africa at home in February, the best match figure for a debutant Kiwi bowler. He removed Dimuth Karunaratne in the first scalp in Asia. The 22-year-old bowled a peach of delivery to Pathum Nissanka, yorking the Sri Lanka opener for his second wicket.
He also removed Angelo Mathews with an off-stump outside delivery. At 23 years and 33 days, O’Rourke became the third youngest New Zealand bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul in Asia.
Youngest New Zealand pacers to take a 5-fer in Asia
- Bruce Taylor – 21y 236d – vs India in 1965
- Chris Pringle – 22y 273d – vs Pakistan in 1990
- Will O’Rourke – 23y 43d – vs Sri Lanka in 2024
- Tim Southee – 23y 264d – vs India in 2012
Meanwhile, Kamindu Mendis scored a ton helping Sri Lanka to score past 300 runs. He scored 114 runs before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis scored 50 runs helping the side to score 305 runs.
