Daryl Mitchell's gutsy ton and Matt Henry's counter-attacking 72 helped New Zealand take a crucial 18-run lead which seemed unlikely after Day 2's play. On a bright sunny day at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, Mitchell and New Zealand’s lower order went down fighting against Sri Lanka to post 373 in first innings.
In the first session, Mitchell lost his partner Michael Bracewell early. The arm ball from Prabhat Jayasruiya forced an edge off Bracewell's bat and went into wicketkeeper's gloves. Bracewell scored 25 off 57 deliveries.
Skipper Southee walked out to bat with intent and took on Jayasuriya. Mitchell capitalised on loose deliveries as well and did not hold back from taking the aerial route. Southee played a cameo of 20-ball 25 which was ended by Kasun Rajitha. Lahiru Kumara took a stunning catch at deep square leg to end Southee's stay at the crease. Mitchell was batting on 70 then.
Henry was cautious at start like any other tailender. Mitchell got to his fifth Test ton from 188 deliveries. Henry accelerated after that with consecutive boundaries off Jayasuriya. Mitchell got out shortly after reaching his century. The edge carried to Dickwella. Kumara got the breakthrough. Mitchell scored 102 runs from 193 deliveries including six fours and two sixes.
When Mitchell perished, New Zealand were trailing by 64 runs. Wagner took a few deliveries and then hit Kumara for a six off bouncer. Henry who was striking at less than 50 got the license to go after the bowlers. Dhananjaya de Silva faced the heat as Henry hit him for two consecutive sixes and a four. Wagner matched Henry's energy from the other end and took on Fernando. Henry targetted Rajitha and got to his half-century with a four. He launched a brutal onslaught and smashed Rajitha for 24 runs in the over including four fours and one six.
Fernando ended Henry's brutal onslaught in the next over. He got undone by an inswinging yorker. He scored 72 runs from 75 deliveries including 10 fours and three sixes. He got a standing ovation from the crowd.
Wagner struck another six and four before losing his wicket in Fernando's next over. He scored 27 runs from 24 deliveries including one four and three sixes. The hosts put 373 on the board and took an 18-run lead.
Blair Tickner who remained wicketless in the first innings, picked up three wickets in the last session. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne poked at a full delivery and Henry Nicholls took a blinder at gully. The opener scored 17 off 45 deliveries. Oshada Fernando had played himself in but got out to a poor shot. He scored 28 runs off 52 deliveries. Kusal Mendis (14) played a loose shot as well and edged it to first slip fielder Blackwell as Tickner got his third wicket. At the end of day’s play, Sri Lanka were 83/3 with a 65-run lead and Angelo Mathews, nightwatchman Jayasuriya in the middle.
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