News24
25 Aug 2019, 17:42 GMT+10
Colombo - A century stand between Tom Latham and B.J. Watling helped New Zealand to a first innings lead against Sri Lanka on day four of the rain-hit second Test on Sunday.
New Zealand were 295 for five at tea, leading the hosts by 51 runs after the first session was washed out due to rain and wet outfield at Colombo's P. Sara Oval.
Resuming from the overnight score of 196 for four, the Kiwis added 99 runs in the extended afternoon session losing the only wicket of Latham.
Latham, who made 154, and Watling, batting on 62, put on 143 runs for the fifth wicket to frustrate the Sri Lankan bowling attack that made early inroads in to the Kiwi batting on day three.
Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera broke the marathon stand after trapping Latham lbw on a delivery that pitched and hurried on to the batsman's pad.
The left-handed opener reviewed the decision but replays suggested the ball would have hit the leg stump and the TV umpire upheld the on-field official's call.
Latham, who started the day on 111, registered his fifth 150 plus score in Tests. His career-best 264 not out also came against Sri Lanka in Wellington last year.
Watling, who completed his 18th Test fifty, then stood guard with Colin de Grandhomme, batting on 19 with the help of two sixes, for company at the break.
Sri Lanka are without the services of wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and captain Dimuth Karunaratne, who has strained a muscle of his left leg and will not be able to open the batting during Sri Lanka's second innings.
Angelo Mathews is the stand-in-captain and substitute Dinesh Chandimal is keeping wickets.
Dickwella has a cut on his little finger of his left-hand on day three.
Sri Lanka, who lead the two-match series 1-0, made 244 after electing to bat first in a match that has witnessed numerous rain interruptions.
Get a daily dose of Auckland Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Auckland Sun.
More InformationWASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
]LONDON, U.K.: A World Health Organization (WHO) expert group investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic released its final...
DOVER, Delaware: California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal aim at Fox News, accusing the network of deliberately distorting...
FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany has become the latest country to challenge Chinese AI firm DeepSeek over its data practices, as pressure...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 2 (ANI): After a majestic century in the first test against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, South Africa batter Lhuan-dre...
Birmingham [UK], July 1 (ANI): The presence of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, the possibility of a two-spinner strategy, and some milestones...
Birmingham [UK], July 1 (ANI): As Team India gears up for the second Test in Birmingham against England, there would be worries about...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 1 (ANI): South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch on Tuesday became just the fourth from his country and first...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 1 (ANI): Following his side's win over Zimbabwe in the first Test, South African skipper Keshav Maharaj hailed...
Bulawayo [Zimbabwe], July 1 (ANI): A sensational century from debutant Lhuan-Dre Pretorious and an all-round performance from Corbin...