WELLINGTON : Sri Lanka seized control of the second test at the Basin Reserve today after sustained pressure from
their bowlers reduced New Zealand to 183 for five at tea. The hosts held a slim 48-run lead with Kane Williamson and BJ Watling, the last recognised batsmen, at the crease. Williamson was on 48 and Watling 14 with New Zealand’s hopes of extending the game into a fourth day resting on their shoulders.
The hosts had resumed after lunch on 96 for three, still 39 runs behind Sri Lanka’s 356, but lost two crucial wickets with Brendon McCullum (22) trapped lbw by Dhammika Prasad while Jimmy Neesham was also leg before to Nuwan Pradeep for 19. Pradeep had put the hosts on the back foot by taking two quick wickets before lunch while Ross Taylor was deceived by Rangana Herath’s guile.
Herath, the world’s leading wicket taker in 2014 with 60, missed the first test with a leg injury but has proved to be the key today.
(AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel