It was the third day of the Boxing Day Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The second day went against the Lankans and follow on was being enforced upon them. In the second innings, they seemed to fight back as at stumps, they were poised at the score of 84 for the loss of no wickets. The Sri Lankans batted sensibly today and slowly went past the trial score.
Dimuth Karunaratne was batting on 49 at stumps of the second day. He completed his half century and was playing sensibly. While on the other end, Kaushal Silva was dismissed soon after the start of the day’s play. Sangakkara came in next and was dismissed soon after that. Thus Sri Lanka were 2 down in no time. Then Karunaratne and Thirmanne poised the innings quite well and at lunch, Sri Lanka were poised at the score of 131 runs for the loss of 2 wickets.
In the second session, Thirmanne and Karunaratne did manage to put some fight on. Karunaratne completed his Test century. It was indeed a well played one. He reached to his century off 255 deliveries. And after that, the partnership between Karunaratne and Thirmanne ended as Thirmanne was dismissed at the score of 25 runs. And at tea, Sri Lankans were at the score of 201 runs for the loss of 3 wickets with Karunaratne and Mathews on the crease for them.
In the third session, the Sri Lankans opted to be much of defensive side. And it was a great partnership being built on and the Sri Lankan scored surpassed the 250 mark after sometime. Then Mathews completed his half century off 82 balls and it was followed by a 150 by Karunaratne. Then at the Sri Lankan score of 277 runs, Karunaratne was bowled by Trent Boult. He was dismissed at the score of 152 runs off 363 deliveries. Dickwella came in next and was dismissed soon.
At stumps of the day, Sri Lanka are poised at the score of 293 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. They trial the first innings score of New Zealand by a margin of 10 runs.
Brief Score: New Zealand 441; Sri Lanka 138 & 293/5 (125.0 ov) (f/o) trail by 10 runs with 5 wickets in hand.