Black Caps Smell Victory
Cricket update
Christchurch: The Black Caps are on the verge of a historic fourth successive test series triumph.
New Zealand overcame strong day four resistance from Sri Lanka to have the tourists 231-6 in their second innings at stumps on Saturday at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval.
The sides will return for a fifth day on Sunday with New Zealand hunting a further four wickets for victory in the winner-takesall second test. Sri Lanka would need to bat all day to somehow miraculously save the test with a 30 degree Celsius scorcher forecast.
It could be three wickets with star batsman Angelo Mathews retiring hurt during the tea break after injuring his hamstring and not returning. He was set to undergo a scan at Christchurch Hospital at the end of the day’s play, putting his availability for the last stage of the match and looming ODI series, starting on January 3 in Mount Maunganui under serious threat. Victory would see New Zealand break unchartered territory in test cricket, winning a fourth successive series in the long form, something they’ve never achieved in their 88-year history.
Just over a week after frustrating New Zealand on day four in Wellington, where Mathews and Kusal Mendis both scored tons and combined for what proved a matchsaving 274-run unbroken partnership, Sri Lanka again refused to roll over.
Set a mammoth target of 660, Sri Lanka started day four at 24-2.
Sri Lanka were never going to realistically haul down that total, but were determined to tough it out, bat time, and do all they could to take it into the fifth day.
Mendis and skipper Dinesh Chandimal were able to thwart the New Zealand attack for the opening chunk of the day as anticipation of a day four repeat from the first test lingered.
It was dogged batting from the pair, who got through the first session unscathed and saw off 40 overs to begin day four. That was until a stunning full length diving catch from sub fielder Matt Henry brought about Mendis’ demise off Neil Wagner’s bowling.
Henry flung himself to his left at extra cover, producing the stroke of brilliance New Zealand desperately craved after a tough morning session in the warm Christchurch sun.
Mendis departed for 67 ending a gritty 117run partnership for the third wicket with his captain. New Zealand toiled hard in the heat with the ball swinging effectively in the morning session, but wickets hard to come by. Kane Williamson rotated his bowlers around and tried to mix up his field and tactics, but just as they did in Wellington, the Sri Lankan batsmen proved difficult to crack.
After some soft dismissals in the first innings from the Sri Lankan top order, Chandimal and Mendis both knuckled down and offered few chances for the New Zealand bowlers.
They almost had a shocking run out just after lunch scampering through for a single. Jeet Raval was unable to hit the stumps at the striker’s end, rushing in from square leg, which would have sent Mendis on his way.
Wagner was the most threatening of the bowlers, delivering a lion-hearted effort, running in hard and holding up an end. He got through 22 overs before the second new ball was taken.
-Stuff NZ