1st Test
Day-3 Morning Session Highlights:
Sri Lanka has staged a strong comeback to bring the game back into balance
At The Lunch of Day-3:
Sri Lanka scored 305 (1st Innings) and 32/1 (2nd Innings), where as New Zealand scored 340 (1st Innings).
So, finally Sri Lanka trail by three runs.
Prabath Jayasuriya (4-136) spun Sri Lanka back into contention during an eventful morning session on Day 3.
New Zealand began the day at 255/4, just 50 runs shy of Sri Lanka’s total.
Jayasuriya provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Tom Blundell with a sharply turning delivery that ripped off the surface.
The Lankans’ fortunes improved soon after when Daryl Mitchell (57), who appeared in control, was run out in unfortunate fashion.
His departure triggered a collapse, occurring just as the hosts took the second new ball.
The newer ball offered more grip, turn, and bite for the spinners compared to the softer, older one, and Jayasuriya capitalized on it, quickly removing Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee.
Ramesh Mendis then trapped Ajaz Patel LBW, suddenly placing New Zealand in danger of conceding even a slight lead.
However, Glenn Phillips (49*) had other plans, launching a series of sixes and cleverly managing the strike to guide the Black Caps to a useful 35-run lead.
Sri Lanka’s tactics against Phillips were puzzling, allowing him to add crucial runs with No. 11 William O’Rourke, who was eventually bowled by Mendis.
In Sri Lanka’s second innings, O’Rourke struck early again, removing Pathum Nissanka.
However, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal steadied the ship, preventing New Zealand from making further breakthroughs as Sri Lanka edged closer to erasing the deficit.
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