Galle, Sep 28 (UNI) Sri Lanka tightened their grip on the second Test against New Zealand by picking up 13 wickets on an action-packed Day 3 here on Saturday.
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the chief destroyer in the visitors’ first innings, taking six wickets as New Zealand collapsed for 88. Sri Lanka then enforced the follow-on with a commanding lead of 514 runs, and New Zealand ended the day’s play at 199 for 5, still trailing by 315.
Jayasuriya spun a web around New Zealand’s batting, supported by debutant Nishan Peiris, who grabbed three wickets in both innings. However, a fighting unbeaten 78-run stand between Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips brought New Zealand some respite before bad light and rain halted play, forcing an early stumps with the ground under covers. Only 10 overs were possible in the final session, which remained wicketless.
New Zealand resumed the day at 22 for 2 in their first innings but quickly found themselves in trouble. Jayasuriya struck early, removing Kane Williamson, who edged a delivery to slip.
Peiris claimed his maiden Test wicket, bowling Rachin Ravindra for 10 after the batsman missed a paddle sweep. Daryl Mitchell showed some resistance with a brief counterattack, but New Zealand soon slid to 52 for 5, with Peiris trapping Ajaz Patel in front.
The procession of wickets continued as Jayasuriya dismissed both Blundell and Phillips in quick succession. Mitchell Santner top-scored for New Zealand with 29, forming the highest partnership of the innings — a mere 20 runs for the last wicket with William O’Rourke. Jayasuriya finished with figures of 6 for 42.
Following on, New Zealand lost Tom Latham in the first over to Peiris, deepening their woes. A 97-run partnership between Devon Conway and Williamson offered some resistance after Lunch. Conway’s aggressive half-century came off 48 balls, but he was caught for 61 after a well-judged catch by Dinesh Chandimal. Williamson followed soon after for 46, miscuing a shot to long-on off Peiris.
New Zealand slipped further to 129 for 5 before Blundell and Phillips steadied the innings. The duo’s aggressive approach against Peiris included four sixes and a boundary, but Sri Lanka remained firmly in control as the day ended.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka 602/5 declared lead New Zealand 88 (Mitchell Santner 29; Prabath Jayasuriya 6-42, Nishan Peiris 3-33) and 199/5 f/o (Devon Conway 61, Tom Blundell 47*; Nishan Peiris 3-91) by 315 runs.
