New Zealand were rolled out for 178 in the first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Christchurch, but fought back to reduce the visitors to 88-4 by the close of play.
Sri Lanka knocked over the first four New Zealand wickets for 36 runs, with Suranga Lakmal taking all four wickets. Next to fall was Ross Taylor for 27 off 46 balls, cruelly run out while backing up after Lahiru Kumara deflected a straight drive from BJ Watling on to the stumps with Taylor out of his ground.
Watling and Tim Southee added 108 runs off just 122 balls to lift New Zealand’s score to 172-6, before Kumara struck twice and Lakmal completed his five-for to close the New Zealand innings on 178 off exactly 50 overs.
Watling’s 46 came off 90 balls, while Southee top-scored with 68 off just 65 balls. Lakmal starred with the ball, taking 5-45 (his best Test figures and just his second five-wicket haul in his 54th Test), while Kumara picked up 3-49.
Tim Southee was immediately back in the thick of the action, knocking over the Sri Lankan top order as the visitors were reduced to 21-3. Colin de Grandhomme then had Kusal Mendis caught behind by Watling for 15 as Sri Lanka stuttered along to 51-4.
Angelo Mathews (27) and Roshen Silva (15) took Sri Lanka through to the close at 88-4, with Sri Lanka still trailing by 90 runs, Southee ending the day with 3-29.
After the relative comfort enjoyed by the batters at Wellington, Christchurch has given the bowlers the opportunity to puff out their chests.
Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
