Dhananjaya de Silva completes 3,000 runs in Tests: Key stats
Dhananjaya de Silva smashed a valiant 98 off 185 balls in the ongoing second and final Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. He struck 12 fours and a six. During the course, the right-handed batter also completed 3,000 runs in the format. He missed out on what would have been his 10th Test century. Here we look at his stats in Test cricket.
A crucial knock from De Silva
After being folded for 164 in reply to NZ's 580/4 (declared), SL were asked to follow on. De Silva, who bagged a six-ball duck in his first outing, bounced back emphatically. He arrived at number six with the scorecard reading 116/4. He rebuilt the innings with a 126-run stand with Dinesh Chandimal (62). The batter added 76 runs with Nishan Madushka (39) as well.
3,000 runs for de Silva
As per ESPNcricinfo, de Silva became the 15th Sri Lankan batter to amass 3,000 runs in Tests as he got the milestone in his 47th Test. The all-rounder now tallies 3,006 runs at 38.53 in Tests. Besides nine tons, he owns 11 fifties as well. With his off-spin, the 31-year-old has so far scalped 34 Test wickets at 55.26.
His numbers versus New Zealand
De Silva has indeed enjoyed batting against the Kiwis as he has now raced to 321 runs in five Tests against them at an impressive average of 40.12. The tally includes a ton and fifty apiece. Notably, he made handy contributions worth 46 and 47* in the series opener, which saw the Kiwis recording a two-wicket triumph.
How did the game pan out?
SL won the toss and elected to bowl at Wellington's Basin Reserve. Kane Williamson (215) and Henry Nicholls (200*) helped NZ declare at 580/4. In reply, the Lankans were folded for a paltry 164 and were asked to follow on. They put up a better show in their second outing and posted 358. Dimuth Karunaratne (89 and 51) slammed fifties in both innings.
