Henry Nicholls. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

As the second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka got off to a magnificent start for the Black Caps, Devon Conway played a resilient innings of 78 runs off 108 deliveries. However, it was Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls who stole the show and were undoubtedly the stars of the first innings.

Both batters completed their double centuries with a magnificent showing with the bat. Williamson scored 215 runs in 296 deliveries, whereas, Nicholls played an unbeaten knock of 200 in 240 deliveries to further mount the pressure on Sri Lanka.

As both batters completed their double centuries, they became the first pair of batters representing the Black Caps to smash double centuries in the same innings. Furthermore, this was the 18th instance in world cricket where two batters scored double centuries in the same innings.

Previously, there have been many legendary pairings that have managed to achieve the same feat. Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman against Australia in 2008, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke vs India in 2012 and Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie vs Bangladesh in 2008 are some of the many pairs who managed to achieve the marvelous feat.

New Zealand look to mount pressure on Sri Lanka

After the hosts won the first Test against Sri Lanka by the narrowest of margins, they will be keen on grabbing a win in the second game of the series as well. After double centuries by both Williamson and Nicholls, New Zealand managed to notch up 580 runs on the board before they declared.

The hosts started off the second innings in full rhythm, taking two quick wickets to further mount the pressure on the visitors. Oshada Fernando was dismissed after scoring just six runs, whereas Kusal Mendis was dismissed for a duck. Following the huge score put up by New Zealand, Sri Lanka will have to follow it up with a resilient batting display as well.