New Zealand take 138-run lead in 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka

Half centuries from De Grandhomme and Watling lift Black Caps

COOMBO, Sri Lanka, Aug 25, (AP): Collin de Grandhomme smashed five sixes and five boundaries in a 75ball 83 not out and shared an unbroken 113-run partnership for the sixth wicket with B.J. Watling who made an unbeaten 81, to quickly increase New Zealand’s first-innings lead to 138 runs at stumps on day four of the second cricket Test on Sunday.

The stand came after Tom Latham’s impeccable 154 that also involved a 143-run fifth wicket partnership with Watling.

New Zealand were 382 for five when stumps were called on a day when only 48 overs of play was possible and the full first session was lost for five in reply to Sri Lanka’s firstinnings score of 244. They resumed on 196 for four and scored 99 runs in the afternoon session.

De Grandhomme who was 19 not out at the break played some aggressive shots in the third session showing signs that the Black Caps intend to increase the lead with a view to making a declaration.

The sixth wicket partnership took just 157 deliveries in less than two hours.

With only the last day’s play left in the match and Sri Lanka winning the first Test in the two-match series, it is crucial for New Zealand to attempt to force a result in their favor to secure crucial points for the World Test Championship.

Latham was the only batsman to be dismissed on the day. He played off his back foot to off-spin bowler Dilruwan Perera and was trapped lbw. Opening the batting, Latham spent more than six hours at the crease, faced 251 deliveries and hit 15 boundaries.

This is the fifth time he has crossed 150 runs in 10 Test centuries, of which four have been scored against Sri Lanka.

The partnership between Latham and Watling came off 258 deliveries.

Perera took three wickets for 114 runs in 37 overs.

New Zealand’s B.J. Watling (left), plays a shot as Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne watches during day four of the second Test cricket match between

Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Aug 25. (AP)