Courtesy of Sri Lanka all-rounder Angelo Mathew's 14th Test hundred, the Islanders put 302 runs on the board for their rivals New Zealand to chase down on Day 5 of the first Test of the two-match home series in Christchurch. With a place in the World Test Championship hanging in the balance, the Kiwis need 257 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand on Day 5 of the first Test of the two-match home series.
On 83/3 at the beginning of the day, the Lankans were hit with the wicket of Prabath Jayasuriya by Blair Tickner. However, Mathews combined well with Dinesh Chandimal to set up a 105-run partnership to grab Sri Lanka back into the game.
Chandimal went on to score 42 runs off 107 balls before being cleaned up by New Zealand skipper Tim Southee. Angelo and Dhananjaya de Silva added a 60-run stand, during which the veteran batter also completed his 14th Test hundred. Mathews hit 115 runs off 235 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries on the way.
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After this innings, Matt Henry and Southee took on the Sri Lankan tail-enders as the wickets kept tumbling around De Silva, who remained unbeaten on 47. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 302 runs, setting a target of 285 for New Zealand to chase.
With the ball, Sri Lanka started on the front foot after the loss of Devon Conway's wicket. He was caught and bowled by Kasun Rajitha as the Kiwis ended Day 4 on 28/1, needing 257 more for the win.
The Islanders need to win both matches in this series in order to join Australia in the final of the WTC, taking place at the Oval in London on June 7. This match is happening simultaneously with the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which, if India win, will confirm their place in the final of the mega Test event.
