New Zealand v Sri Lanka 1st Test, Day 4 Review: NZ 7 wickets away from a win
In a day affected by rain, New Zealand ended in a strong position needing another 7 wickets on the final day to go one up in the series. Kane Williamson got his half-century on the second ball of the morning and in the company of Tom Latham stretched the lead.
Dushmntha Chameera cleaned up Williamson for 71 as the right-hander tried to play one on the leg side but missed it. The ball brushed his back thigh before crashing into the off-stump. On 97, Latham was struck on the pads by a ball from Rangana Herath and the Sri Lankan’s reviewed the on-field, not out decision by umpire Kettkeborough who suggested that there was a bat involved. With the ball tracking technology not available at this moment, the visitors kept their review and Latham continued his stay on the crease. He got to his 3rd Test ton and 1st one at home in the same over which brought his family, who were present at the ground, on their feet.
Ross Taylor was dismissed by Herath for 15 which marked the arrival of the dynamic New Zealand captain to the middle. Brendon McCullum danced down the track to the left-arm spinner and dispatched the first ball he faced over long-on for a six. With the help of another maximum, he remained unbeaten on 17 off 6 and so did Latham on a brilliant 109 off 180 balls as the Kiwis declared on 267/3 setting the visitors a target of 405.
The Sri Lankan openers started well and looked compact in defence. They battled for 26 overs before Tim Southee finally gave his team a much-needed breakthrough. Dimuth Karunaratne tried to guide a short ball over the slip cordon, however, edged it wicketkeeper BJ Watling who completed the catch. Udara Jayasundera completed two single-figure scores on a forgettable debut as he perished for 3 giving another catch to the keeper off the bowling of Wagner.
Kusal Mendis’ was the last wicket to fall and he must have cursed himself as rained arrived immediately after that. He was batting solidly on 46 however nicked one of Southee to the ecstatic Watling, who set the record for most dismissals by a New Zealand keeper in a Test match with this catch. Play will start 30 minutes ahead of the scheduled time on the last day, as the home side will be hoping for better weather that would enable them to wrap up the match.
Brief score:
New Zealand – 431 and 171 for 1 (Latham 72*; Herath 1/39)
Sri Lanka – 294 (Karunaratne 84, Chandimal 83; Southee 3/71)
New Zealand – 267/3 decl. (T Latham 109; R Herath 2/62)
Sri Lanka – 109/3 (K Mendis 46; T Southee 2/16)
Sri Lanka require another 296 runs and New Zealand need 7 wickets to win.
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