Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 3 preview: Hosts claw back but tourists hold slight advantage

With 3 wickets in hand, Sri Lanka trail by 22 runs in the first innings at the end of a topsy-turvy Day 2 at Galle International Stadium. At one point Sri Lanka were just 106 behind with 8 wickets in hand when they lost 5 for 18 in 55 balls. However, Niroshan Dickwella (39*) and Suranga Lakmal (28*) added 66 before stumps, and will resume batting tomorrow.

While Sri Lanka are likely to eke out a lead, they will have to bat last on a pitch that has been assisting spinners till now. New Zealand probably hold a slight advantage at this point. Anything in excess of 200 will not be easy to chase.

The day began in dramatic fashion, with Lakmal (4/29) having Ross Taylor (86) caught behind off a loosener with his first ball of the day. Mitchell Santner shouldered arms to one that came in and was given leg-before, while Tim Southee had a brain-fade, set off for a run that was definitely not there, and was run out.

Trent Boult provided some entertainment before holing out to long-on off Lakmal. And Ajaz Patel was trapped leg-before first ball, leaving Lakmal – who picked up all 4 wickets that fell in the morning to bowlers – on a hat-trick.

Patel (5/76) had Lahiru Thirimanne stumped before lunch, but captain Dimuth Karunaratne (39) and Kusal Mendis (53) carried on. Sri Lanka were 66/1 when Patel had Karunaratne leg-before.

Mendis (53) then added 77 with Angelo Mathews (50) before he tried to drive one from Patel and was caught at slip at the stroke of tea.

The final session began in dramatic fashion. Caught in two minds, Kusal Perera simply lobbed one to point off Boult. Then Patel beat both Dhananjaya de Silva and Mathews in flight, having them out caught and bowled and caught at slip respectively.

At the other end, William Somerville had Akila Dananjaya caught at slip before Dickwella and Lakmal steadied the ship.

Key players

Suranga Lakmal (Sri Lanka): The pitch has assisted spinners, but as Lakmal showed, you are likely to get wickets as long as you keep hitting the right areas. Sri Lanka will need him to do exactly that tomorrow (he is also on a hat-trick), though before that he has to push Sri Lanka ahead of New Zealand.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Williamson must be raring to get a big score following his first-innings duck. He is one of the finest batsmen against spin, and on a deteriorating pitch, he needs to come to the forefront to push his team towards a sizeable lead.

Brief scores

New Zealand 249 (Ross Taylor 86, Henry Nicholls 42; Akila Dananjaya 5/80, Suranga Lakmal 4/29) lead Sri Lanka 227/7 (Kusal Mendis 53, Angelo Mathews 50; Ajaz Patel 5/76) by 22 runs.

Prediction

New Zealand to put on sizeable lead after Sri Lanka catch up.