New Zealand finished what they set out to do on the fourth morning, to
wrap up the Sri Lanka innings as early as possible and then look to
extend the lead with positive batting, with just under two days left.
The New Zealand seamers nipped out the last four wickets in just 7.4
overs to take a healthy first-innings lead of 168, but the departure of
the openers before lunch kept the hosts interested just when the game
was slipping away from them.
Tim Southee completed his third five-wicket haul but the bowler who
inflicted the maximum damage was Trent Boult, who swung the new ball and
dismissed the set overnight pair of Thilan Samaraweera and Suraj Randiv
to finish with 4 for 42.
The new ball was changed yet again this morning, and it paid off for New
Zealand. Samaraweera failed to add to his overnight score when he was
squared up by a peach from Boult which left the right-hand batsman late
after pitching on middle stump. The outside edge was taken by Guptill at
second slip. Boult struck again in his following over with one that
swung in late and struck the base of Randiv's pads. The umpire Nigel
Llong didn't appear interested initially and Boult had given up hope of
getting the lbw in his favour but Llong was finally convinced.
Nuwan Kulasekara then edged Southee to first slip to give the bowler his
second five-for in three matches. A display of brilliance sealed the
innings as Kane Williamson pulled off a blinder, diving to his left at
gully to catch a thick outside edge to get rid of Rangana Herath.
New Zealand needed a strong beginning and Brendon McCullum wasn't going
to hold back on anything pitched full. He smashed a few through the
covers, nudged to fine leg and even brought out the reverse sweep. The
numerous ball changes (three in the first eight overs), however, were
farcical. The new Kookaburra balls kept losing shape and the number of
interruptions only added to the time already lost in this Test due to
the weather. The fourth umpire Tyron Wijewardene hardly had a moment's
rest, stepping out with the replacement balls every few overs and could
have passed off as the unofficial 16th member in the field.
Shaminda Eranga got the first breakthrough, getting Guptill to punch
half-heartedly to Tillakaratne Dilshan at gully. McCullum's wicket was a
good sign for the hosts for more than one reason. Aside from getting
rid of him when he looked dangerous, the turn and bounce for Herath was
encouraging. McCullum was drawn forward to drive, but the ball spun,
bounced and Prasanna Jayawardene completed a sharp stumping before the
batsman could drag his foot back.
0 comments:
Post a Comment