Sri Lanka 303 runs behind New Zealand even after following on

Wellington. Sri Lanka, after following on, scored 113 for two in their second innings on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand, still needing 303 runs to avoid an innings defeat, here on Sunday. New Zealand had declared their first innings by scoring 580 runs for four wickets, in response to which Sri Lanka’s team was dismissed for 164 runs. New Zealand thus took a huge first innings lead of 416 runs and their skipper Tim Southee was quick to invite Sri Lanka to follow on. New Zealand had registered a thrilling one-run win against England at the same ground a month ago.

Sri Lanka made a cautious start in the second innings.At the end of the third day’s play, Kusal Mendis was playing on 50 and Angelo Mathews on one run. Mendis, who failed to open the account in the first innings, completed his 17th half-century in 96 balls just before the end of the third day’s play in the second innings. Captain Dimuth Karunaratne was the highlight of the Sri Lankan batting on the third day’s play. Sri Lanka made their first innings 26 for two in the morning and Karunaratne top-scored with 89 before being dismissed for the ninth wicket.

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He then returned to the crease and scored 51 before being caught at deep midwicket by Southee half an hour before the end of the day’s play. Apart from Karunaratne, only Dinesh Chandimal (37) and Nissan Madhushka (19) reached double figures in Sri Lanka’s first innings. Matt Henry and Michael Bracewell took three wickets each for New Zealand. Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets within 50 runs.