Cricket: NZ captain Southee positive despite Sri Lanka loss

Despite losing the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Monday, New Zealand captain Tim Southee is optimistic about his side’s chances moving forward in the three-match series.

The Black Caps batted their way into a strong position midway through the Test, with cricket betting sites putting them as favourites to win when they drew just 50 runs short of Sri Lanka’s first-innings total with six wickets in hand.

While a collapse handed much of the advantage back to Sri Lanka, and New Zealand ultimately fell 63 runs short on the fifth day, Southee believes there is plenty to be taken from the effort.

“The position where we got ourselves in, in the first innings, was good,” he said.

“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.”

In particular, Southee was happy with what he saw from young fast bowler William O’Rourke.

The 23-year-old took 8/104 all up in just his third Test, with specialist batters making up a majority of his dismissals.

“Will’s had a very short Test career so far, and he’s certainly announced himself,” he said.

“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.”

Southee also spoke highly of young batter Rachin Ravindra, who gave New Zealand a shot at victory with his 92 runs in challenging conditions in the fourth innings.

“Rachin kept us in the hunt with that chase,” the Kiwi captain said.

“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.

“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.”

New Zealand will do battle against Sri Lanka again this Thursday, with the second Test also held in Galle.

The hosts are +115 favourites at Bovada to go 2-0 up, with the tourists paying +185 to level the series.

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