Sri Lanka 26 for two (Karunaratne 16*, Jayasuriya 4*, Doug Bracewell 1-1, Henry 1-15) path New Zealand 580 for 4 dec (Williamson 215, Nicholls 200*) by 554 runs
After declaring on 580 for 4, Oshada Fernando and Kusal Mendis had been eliminated within the 17 overs previous to the shut of play, because the guests had been left with a stiff battle to save lots of the sport nonetheless 554 runs behind.
The day nonetheless belonged to Williamson and Nicholls, who went on to change into the primary pair of New Zealand batters to attain double centuries in the identical innings. In innings that mirrored one another in some ways, they every ended with a management share of 93, highlighting the widely risk-free method that was adopted over the course of the day. This was all of the extra spectacular contemplating they scored 149 runs within the 34-over morning session at 4.38 an over, and ramped this up additional post-lunch scoring an extra 139 runs in 26 overs at 5.34.
However this was hardly “Bazball,” moderately demise by a thousand cuts, with Williamson and Nicholls merely relentless of their run accumulation. Each innings had been characterised by a continuing working of the fielders to their whim.
Williamson particularly was in positive fettle, working the ball into the gaps both aspect of the wicket, with the intense purple cherry on the center of his bat telling its personal story. His in a single day strike fee of 37 was greater than doubled within the morning session to 83; he would ultimately find yourself scoring his 296-ball 215 at a fee of 72.63.
One-hundred-and-thirty-eight of his runs got here in entrance of the wicket or in entrance of sq. on both aspect – this was the identical for Nicholls, who hit 132 in the identical areas. Each gamers additionally closely favoured the flick by means of midwicket, no matter whether or not it was spin or seam thrown at them.
The Sri Lankan bowlers, who had toiled largely fruitlessly for 48 overs the day prior to this in what was in all probability the very best of the bowling situations – even when they had been sophisticated by heavy winds – unsurprisingly discovered the occurring day two far worse.
Whereas the wind had change into extra sporadic, the pitch itself would quicken up because the day went alongside. This mixed with an incapability to take care of constant traces and lengths meant each Williamson and Nicholls got free rein of Basin Reserve.
Lahiru Kumara, who went for 164 runs at an economic system fee of 6.56, took the brunt of the harm, most notably being hooked for back-to-back sixes an hour into the morning session – a primary for Williamson in Checks. However to single out Kumara could be unfair with every bowler, barring Kasun Rajitha (3.93) and Dhananjaya de Silva (3.94), going for greater than 4 an over.
After two wicketless periods although, and the overall blowing up, each Williamson and Nicholls started to indicate extra proactive aggression. It was this that ultimately caused Williamson’s demise as he holed out to long-on.
Nicholls although carried on, preying on something brief – one thing he had proven a propensity for over the course of his innings. He additionally pushed on after reaching his century off 173 deliveries, taking simply 67 extra to achieve his double hundred. Two balls later Southee referred to as within the declaration.
