Sri Lanka struggle as hosts New Zealand close in on first Test victory

Sport360 staff 09:08 13/12/2015
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  • Hosts New Zealand are in a dominant position in Dunedin.

    Sri Lanka, faced with an imposing 405-run target, were in a fight for survival at 69-2 at tea on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday.

    As they battled wind, rain and a fired-up New Zealand pace attack, Sri Lanka needed a record-breaking performance to win.

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    They were given a sporting chance by New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum who declared with more than five sessions remaining.

    However, after Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis put on 54 for the first wicket their reply faltered on a wind- and rain-affected day.

    Tim Southee and Neil Wagner struck in quick succession as Sri Lanka lost two wickets for 10 runs in six overs.

    At tea, Mendis was on 32 with Dinesh Chandimal on five.

    Karunaratne was out for 29, looking to cut a rising Southee delivery but succeeding only in edging it to BJ Watling behind the stumps. 

    It was a chance for Watling to make amends after dropping Mendis off Mitchell Santner five balls earlier. 

    Mendis had earlier been given a life when on 13 he nicked Doug Bracewell direct to second slip where Martin Guptill spilled the regulation chance.

     Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis leaves a delivery by Doug Bracewell.

    Udara Jayasundera was caught behind off Wagner for three to give Watling his eighth dismissal so far in the Test.

    Although the pitch holds few demons, history is against Sri Lanka who will have to better their previous highest fourth-innings chase of 352-9 scored against South Africa in 2006 in Colombo.

    New Zealand added a further 96 runs to their overnight 171-1 before McCullum declared at 267-3 after equalling the world record for the most career sixes.

    McCullum sent the ball over the boundary rope twice in his brief six-ball innings to join Australian Adam Gilchrist with 100 sixes in Tests. 

    Tom Latham posted his third Test century to be 109 not out at the close after a nervous wait on 99 when Sri Lanka appealed for an lbw decision. 

    Numerous replays appeared to show the ball striking outside the off stump and as the ball-tracking technology was not working the umpire’s not out call was upheld. 

    Sri Lanka openers Karunaratne and Mendis faced seven balls before rain forced an early lunch and there was another 20 minute break because of the weather early in the second session of play.

    Further showers are forecast for Monday.

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