1st Test
Day-3 Evening Session Highlights:
Batters has put the Sri Lanka team in a strong position on Day 3
At The Stumps of Day-3:
Sri Lanka scored 305 (1st Innings) and 237/4 (2nd Innings), where as New Zealand scored 340 (1st Innings).
So, finally Sri Lanka lead by 202 runs.
The third day in Galle saw Sri Lanka deliver crucial performances to bring the Test match back into balance.
By the end of the day, the hosts had built a lead of 202 runs in their second innings, with six wickets in hand.
New Zealand began the day in a strong position at 255/4, but Sri Lanka’s spinners turned the tide, with Prabath Jayasuriya leading the charge with figures of 4 for 136.
He dismissed the dangerous Tom Blundell with a sharply turning delivery, setting the stage for a collapse that saw New Zealand lose four wickets for a minimal return.
Daryl Mitchell, who had appeared in control, was run out in a mix-up, a pivotal moment that Sri Lanka capitalized on.
Jayasuriya also took the wickets of Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee, while Ramesh Mendis accounted for Ajaz Patel.
Just when New Zealand seemed down and out, Glenn Phillips launched a counterattack, hitting sixes at will and expertly managing the strike with last man William O’Rourke.
His unbeaten 49 provided New Zealand with a vital 35-run lead.
Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka early to O’Rourke, but Dimuth Karunaratne (72*) and Dinesh Chandimal (54*) navigated a wicketless post-lunch session with great poise.
The duo batted with excellent control, offering minimal chances against a New Zealand attack that toiled hard in the sweltering heat.
The conditions provided significant turn and a hint of reverse swing for the pacers, yet Karunaratne and Chandimal, despite occasional lapses in concentration, effectively rotated the strike and maintained pressure on New Zealand’s spinners.
They managed to exploit loose deliveries, even forcing a seasoned bowler like Mitchell Santner into mistakes.
Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips struggled to consistently land their deliveries accurately, which meant neither Karunaratne nor Chandimal faced excessive pressure.
The pair smoothly constructed a 103-run partnership, extending Sri Lanka’s lead toward triple figures.
However, New Zealand fought back in the evening session, claiming quick wickets, including both half-centurions.
Karunaratne was bowled by Ajaz for 72, triggering a mini-collapse as Sri Lanka lost three wickets in quick succession.
O’Rourke was again pivotal, dismissing Chandimal (caught at leg gully) and Kamindu Mendis (caught at leg slip).
Yet, as the day progressed, Sri Lanka showcased their resilience once more, with experienced Angelo Mathews and captain Dhananjaya de Silva standing firm through a tricky final phase that featured uneven bounce and turn from the rough patches.
Mathews displayed remarkable composure, even surviving a close LBW call late in the day.
Batting proved challenging on the deteriorating surface, leaving it uncertain how many runs New Zealand would need to chase in the fourth innings.
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