Sri Lanka 164 (Karunaratne 89, Chandimal 37, Henry 3-44, Michael Bracewell 3-50) and 113 for two (Karunaratne 51, Mendis 50, Southee 1-9) path New Zealand 580 for 4 dec by 303 runs
New Zealand’s bowlers propelled their aspect to the brink of a 2-0 sequence whitewash over Sri Lanka, selecting up ten wickets on the third day, forcing a follow-on and leaving the guests nonetheless 303 runs behind with eight wickets and two days of cricket nonetheless to go.
However even the assistance of the climate gods may not be sufficient if Sri Lanka repeat their poor batting show from the third day.
Whereas credit score should go to New Zealand’s bowlers for sticking to their plans diligently and maximising the situations on supply, Sri Lanka’s batters have been undoubtedly responsible of far too typically failing to place a value on their wickets.
What adopted although was Sri Lanka’s most inexcusable interval of your entire sequence, shedding their ultimate six wickets for simply 55 runs within the interval between lunch and tea.
It was Chandimal that might set off the capitulation. Having swept Michael Bracewell, who was discovering some additional flip and bounce for his offbreaks, for 4, Chandimal would cost him only a supply later solely to have the ball flip via bat and pad and supply Tom Blundell a simple stumping. A mind fade on the most ill-advised second.
This was adopted by Dhananjaya de Silva coming down the observe and chipping a simple catch straight to quick midwicket – put in place for exactly such a stroke – shortly after.
At 116 for six, this may see Nishan Madushka, the debutant, enter. He would string collectively a 40-run stand with Karunaratne on the different finish, who was persevering with unfazed regardless of the chaos round him. On this interval, Madushka even produced some stellar stroke play, particularly when driving via the offside. However finally he too would fall, courtesy of the additional bounce the pitch was extra constantly producing, edging via to second slip.
After Kasun Rajitha was run out, Karunaratne’s persistence would lastly put on skinny, uncharacteristically seeking to beat the person within the deep, and holing out at long-off for a 188-ball 89. Final man Asitha Fernando wouldn’t final for much longer both, as Sri Lanka have been bowled out 164, with Matt Henry and Bracewell taking three wickets apiece.
With a 416-run lead, Tim Southee then had little hesitation in implementing the follow-on, and again out got here Karunaratne for his second essay a little bit over 10 minutes after he had been dismissed.
Sri Lanka’s second effort with the bat positively fared higher, however two wickets misplaced towards the run of play should come to hang-out them.
Oshada Fernando, who’s had a tour to overlook, ended up flicking one off his hips straight to sq. leg, however the wicket that can damage probably the most is that of Karunaratne’s.
Having struck at a fee of 47.34 within the first innings, Karunaratne’s second outing ticked alongside at 61.44, displaying a extra proactive streak and an inclination to tackle the New Zealand bowlers. Alongside a equally optimistic Mendis, the pair ceaselessly took on a splattering of quick stuff served up by the seamers on an more and more bouncy observe.
It could be the relative consolation with which they deal with pulling and slicing nevertheless that can doubtless grate Karunaratne as he appears again on his dismissal this night, because it was an umpteenth quick ball that he wound up high edging to deep midwicket. It having come after reaching his second fifty of the day would solely have been salt within the wounds.
Mercifully for Sri Lanka, they might lose no additional wickets, with Mathews particularly blissful to close up store throughout his 40-ball knock for only a solitary run, however the guests will know they will have to do significantly better in the event that they’re to outlive the subsequent two periods, not to mention the subsequent two days.
