New Zealand bowlers overpowered Sri Lankan batsmen in the second Test (AFP Image)
Sri Lanka reached 113–2 at stumps on the third day in their second innings, but still trailed by 303 runs at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
New Zealand dominated Sri Lanka in the second Test on Sunday, enforcing the follow-on and setting up chances of a series clean sweep with two days to play.
The tourists had reached 113–2 in their second innings at stumps on the third day, but still trailed by 303 runs at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
They need a massive turnaround to avoid defeat after being bowled out for 164 in their first innings in reply to the Black Caps’ 580-4 declared.
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Starting with a deficit of 416 runs, he showed more struggle in his second innings with the bat.
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne posted his second half-century of the day before being dismissed for 51 by his counterpart Tim Southee, caught in the deep after cheaply dismissing fellow opener Oshada Fernando.
Kusal Mendis was at the crease on 50 and Angelo Mathews was unbeaten on one off 40 balls as the pair saw off the last 11.5 overs in scintillating fashion.
A marathon battle to save the Test still awaits the visitors, whose slim hopes of winning the two-match series were effectively ended after their first innings derailment.
Sri Lanka’s tail bent sharply during a chaotic second session, with the last six wickets falling in the space of 15.1 overs for 50 runs, with the wicket playing relatively right.
Only three batsmen reached double figures in the first innings, including Karunaratne, who was the ninth man on 89.
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The opener looked to get the visitors out of a deep hole when he and Dinesh Chandimal put on 80 runs for the fifth wicket after the loss of two wickets in the opening half-hour of the day to take them to 34-4.
However, after charging down the track shortly after tea, Chandimal was stumped by Michael Bracewell on 34, leading to a meltdown.
Offspinner Bracewell removed Dhananjaya de Silva in his next over and later dismissed Karunaratne as he finished with 3-50.
Seamer Matt Henry claimed 3-44, including wicketkeeper Nishan Madushka, who made 19 on his Test debut.
Kasun Rajitha was run out and Asita Fernando was the last wicket to fall, both for ducks, ending Sri Lanka’s sixth lowest innings on New Zealand soil.
Black Caps captain Southee had no hesitation in asking his opponents to bat again, even though that tactic dated back less than a month when England won the second Test against the Black Caps at the Basin Reserve. Follow-on was implemented through
New Zealand went on to win that match, becoming the fourth team to win a follow-on in a Test.
The Black Caps are chasing a third successive Test win after their dramatic two-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Christchurch, which was sealed off the final ball.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
