Two late wickets keep hopes alive for the Sri Lankan, as New Zealand are just 47 runs behind with 5 wickets in hands to secure victory in the match and clinching the Test series.
New Zealand just added 5 runs more in the 1st innings from the overnight score (232/9), as Nuwan Pradeep sent Trent Boult back and ended the Kiwi innings on 237 runs.
With a lead by 55 runs in the 1st innings, Sri Lanka were looking good in the beginning of the 2nd innings. The Sri Lankan opening pair Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis put 71 runs in the 1st wicket. But after that, regular fall of wickets put ended their innings just for 133 runs in the 2nd innings. The Lankans lost their 10 wickets just for 62 runs within 13.5 balls. Tim Southee grabbed 4 wickets while Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell took 3 and 2 wickets respectively.
Chasing 189 runs to win the match, both the Kiwi openers went back early to put New Zealand under pressure at 11/2. But then two back-to-back strong partnerships made the day for the hosts. First Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor made 67 runs partnership in the 3rd wicket and after that Williamson and Brendon McCullum made 52 runs partnership in the 4th wicket. Taylor departed on 35 runs while McCullum departed on 18 runs. Kane Williamson remained unbeaten with a solid 78 runs’ knock, but some support is still needed from the other side as New Zealand ended the Day 3 at 142/5.
Sri Lankan right-arm pacer Dushmantha Chameera again bowled beautifully in this innings just like the 1st innings fifer. He picked up another 4 wickets in the 2nd innings and another pacer Suranga Lakmal picked up the only wicket in the last over. With the wickets of McCullum and Mitchell Santner in the last 6 overs, New Zealand again came under pressure as they still need 47 runs with 5 wickets in hand.
The match is still very much with the New Zealand side, but the hope is not over for the Sri Lankan. Some early wickets in Day 4 can put big trouble for New Zealand which Sri Lanka will be eagerly looking.
On the other hand, New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson is just 22 runs behind to become the most run scorer by a New Zealand cricketer in a calendar year. He is also 22 runs behind from his another century.
New Zealand won the first Test match by 122 runs at Dunedin.