GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — A sensational series of fast-bowling performances by New Zealand rookie William O’Rourke rocked Sri Lanka as the home team was bowled out for 305 runs in the first innings of the first cricket Test match on Thursday.

O’Rourke, who had troubled Sri Lanka’s top order on the first day, took the last two wickets and there was not much resistance from behind. The last three wickets fell for just two runs on the rain-affected second morning, with Ajaz Patel taking the remaining wicket.

O’Rourke was playing only his third Test and finished with figures of five for 55, his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

On the first day on Wednesday, he had beaten both openers – Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka – before taking out Angelo Mathews. All three batters were beaten by their extra pace.

New Zealand conceded just one over in their first innings and were 5-0 up before rain forced the umpires to call an early lunch break. Because of the rain, only 4.5 overs were possible in the morning session.

New Zealand had a warm-up match against Afghanistan in India last week washed out after five days without bowling. Sri Lanka has just completed a three-match Test series in England. which the hosts won 2-1.

The teams will also play a second test in Galle starting on September 26.

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AP Cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket