Sri Lanka continued their dominance on the third day of the opening Test against New Zealand in Galle, building a substantial lead thanks to impressive performances from key batsmen.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal anchored the Sri Lankan innings with crucial half-centuries. The duo showcased their experience and composure, accumulating runs steadily and effectively thwarting the New Zealand bowling attack. Their 147-run partnership, forged with patience and precision, flattened the Black Caps and significantly shifted the momentum in Sri Lanka’s favor.
Karunaratne, who reached 83 runs, and Chandimal, who scored 61, batted sensibly, milking the runs and capitalizing on any loose deliveries. However, their dismissals left the game delicately poised, with Sri Lanka still needing to consolidate their position.
The experienced Angelo Mathews and captain Dhananjaya de Silva, both on 34 runs, will be looking to build on their starts and further extend Sri Lanka’s lead on Sunday when play resumes.
Saturday is a rest day, due to the presidential election in Sri Lanka, marking the first time a Test has accommodated such a break since 2008 when Bangladesh hosted Sri Lanka.
New Zealand, despite a promising start with Tim Southee taking a spectacular catch to dismiss Pathum Nissanka, struggled to break through the Sri Lankan resistance. The pitch, deteriorating steadily, made it difficult for the bowlers to extract consistent bounce and movement.
Spinner Ajaz Patel eventually found a way to dismiss Karunaratne, ending a patient innings, and speedster William O’Rourke accounted for Chandimal in the next over. These breakthroughs brought New Zealand back into the game at 153-3. O’Rourke then dismissed first innings centurion Kamindu Mendis, adding to the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen.
Sri Lanka, however, held their nerve and continued to chip away at the New Zealand lead.
Resuming the day on 255-4, New Zealand added only 85 runs, resulting in a lead of just 35, as Sri Lanka’s spinners exploited the conditions to clean up the tail.
Tom Blundell was the first to fall, his glove catching a tame delivery from Prabath Jayasuriya and flying to slip. Daryl Mitchell, another overnight batsman, was run out for 57. Jayasuriya then removed Mitchell Santner and Southee, ending the day with 4-136. Ramesh Mendis dismissed Ajaz Patel, but Glenn Phillips, with some heavy hits, provided some late resistance for the Black Caps, finishing unbeaten on 49. Ramesh Mendis ultimately bowled out the last man, William O’Rourke, to finish with 3-101, ending the New Zealand innings and setting the stage for a tense final two days of the Test.
