Captain Dimuth Karunaratne has posted his thirty third half century as Sri Lanka work laborious to loosen New Zealand’s grip on the second Test in Wellington.
Sri Lanka resumed on day 3 at 2-26 in reply to New Zealand’s formidable 4-580 declared and misplaced two wickets within the first 5 overs to hunch to 4-34 earlier than Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the innings.
At lunch Karunaratne was 63 not out, Chandimal was on 33 and Sri Lanka have been 4-109, nonetheless trailing by 471 runs.
After a primary day which was shortened by rain and unhealthy gentle, New Zealand dominated the second day as Kane Williamson posted his sixth double century and Henry Nicholls his first.
Sri Lanka confronted 17 overs earlier than stumps on Saturday and misplaced opener Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis, slipping to 2-18 earlier than Karunarate noticed his crew to stumps with out additional harm.
The nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya was out within the second over on Sunday for 4, caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell from seamer Tim Southee.
New Zealand made an essential strike when it dismissed Angelo Mathews three overs later for one. Mathews adopted a ball from Matt Henry which was large of off stump and feathered a catch to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
His was an essential wicket as a result of he made 47 and 115 within the first Test and has been the very best of Sri Lanka’s batsmen this tour.
Karunaratne had a nervous second simply earlier than lunch when he performed at a ball from Doug Bracewell.
There was a slight noise because the ball handed the bat on the best way to Blundell and New Zealand’s attraction was upheld by umpire Richard Illingworth.
Karunaratne instantly referred to as for the evaluate and replays confirmed clear air between the bat and ball however a slight spike on snicko because the ball handed. The choice was overturned and Karunaratne, then on 60, survived.
His batting within the first session in any other case was faultless. He performed typically into the leg aspect between mid-wicket and mid-on with deft flicks off his pads.
By lunch Karunaratne’s partnership with Chandimal was value 70 runs.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
