Prabath Jayasuriya (4-136) brought Sri Lanka back into the contest with a crucial performance during an action-packed morning session on Day 3. New Zealand began the day at 255/4, just 50 runs short of Sri Lanka's first-innings total. Jayasuriya made an impact early, dismissing Tom Blundell with a delivery that spun sharply off the pitch. Soon after, the Lankans got a massive breakthrough when Daryl Mitchell, who was in full control on 57, was run out in unfortunate circumstances, triggering a collapse just after Sri Lanka had taken the second new ball.
The fresh ball provided extra grip and turn for the spinners compared to the older one, and Jayasuriya capitalised on it by removing Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee in quick succession. Ramesh Mendis then trapped Ajaz Patel lbw, putting New Zealand at risk of conceding a narrow lead. However, Glenn Phillips had other plans. Batting with confidence, he smashed several sixes and expertly managed the strike, ensuring the Black Caps eked out a 35-run lead. Sri Lanka’s strategies against Phillips were questionable, allowing him to add vital runs with last-man William O’Rourke, who was eventually bowled by Mendis.
With the ball in hand, O’Rourke struck early in Sri Lanka’s second innings, dismissing Pathum Nissanka cheaply. But Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal stabilised the innings, preventing New Zealand from making further breakthroughs and helping Sri Lanka edge closer to erasing the deficit.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 305 & 32/1 (Dimuth Karunaratne 23; William O’Rourke 1-11) trail New Zealand 340 (Tom Latham 70, Daryl Mitchell 57, Kane Williamson 55; Prabath Jayasuriya 4-136) by three runs.