The game here, after three days of play, looks nicely poised as he hosts now lead by 202 runs with six wickets in their bank. The hosts, with wickets in hand, have the potential to further extend their lead and set a challenging target. The outcome will depend on the remaining batting performance and the visiting side. Stay tuned…

So, the 3 days passed by, where New Zealand scored 340 in response to Sri Lanka’s 305 in the first innings, with Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, and Kane Williamson contributing over half-centuries each. In Sri Lanka’s second innings, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal added 147 for the second wicket, but after Karunaratne was dismissed, they lost 3 quick wickets. Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva added 59 runs for the fifth wicket, while William O’Rourke took 3/37 and Ajaz Patel claimed the other wicket for the visitors.

Hello and a warm welcome to Day 4 of the New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka. So, Saturday, September 21, was a Rest Day for the Test match, because of the Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka and it will again resume today.

… DAY 4, SESSION 1 …

Right then, that is it from an entertaining Day 3 of this Test match where Sri Lanka find themselves in a good position and New Zealand have a lot to do to turn things around. Well, if you are not aware, there is a One-Day break in this Test match due to the presidential elections in Sri Lanka. So, Day 4 will be on 22nd September, Sunday. The first ball will be bowled at 4.30 am GMT, but you can always join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!

However, then skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and Angelo Mathews steadied the ship for the hosts and did not let the Kiwis bother them much. There were a few half-chances here and there but no more than that as the due added over 50 runs and the lead also went over 200. They did suffer a scare in the last over, but Angelo Mathews survived by the skin of the teeth due to the umpire’s call. They will now look to score as many as possible and with six wickets in hand, they will be hoping to set a target of around or over 300 now, but the Kiwis will want to make early inroads in the morning session on Day 4 and restrict the Lankans.

The duo continued to extend the partnership looking really solid at the crease, and they were cruising along in the third session as well. However, just before the first Drinks break, things started to go south, Ajaz Patel cleaned up Dimuth Karunaratne on 83 breaking the 149-run stand, and then a fine game plan from the Kiwis worked as William O’Rourke got Dinesh Chandimal soon after. The hero from the first innings, Kamindu Mendis also could not stay for long and they were in a bit of trouble.

Day 3, often known as the ‘Moving Day’ was full of drama and excitement, but the hosts will be the happier side as the game has moved in their favor considering New Zealand’s struggles in fourth innings in Asia. Sri Lanka lost Pathum Nissanka in the first session but completely dominated the second, marking the first wicket-less period. Dimuth Karunaratne was steady, while Dinesh Chandimal showcased his resilience. New Zealand’s bowlers were good in the opening session but struggled with consistency and pressure in the second one. Sri Lanka had a strong second innings, reaching 134/1 and leading by 99 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal contributed 128 runs from 224 deliveries for the second wicket before the Tea Break.

A fascinating day of Test cricket! SESSION SUMMARY – 103 runs and 3 wickets in 32 overs! This game has ebbed and flowed, but at the moment, it is Sri Lanka who are ahead in the game with a lead of 202 runs and with six wickets in hand. New Zealand worked very hard to pick up the three wickets and that too in quick succession, but after that they had no joy. Although, they could have had Angelo Mathews in the very last over of the day, but umpire’s call went against them.

71.6 – Another short delivery, on leg, Angelo Mathews stays back and fends it to short leg. The umpires take another reading and decide that is it. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3!

Batsman_1 : Angelo Mathews 34(72)

Batsman_2 : Dhananjaya de Silva 34(64)

Bowler : Glenn Phillips 0/50(12)

Over : 72

Run : 2

Wicket : 0

Score : 237/4

71.5 – Shortish and on middle, Angelo Mathews punches it towards mid on.

71.4 – A massive shout for LBW from the Kiwis, but the umpire shakes his head! Tim Southee has a chat with his players and takes the review at the last moment. This looks pretty straight unless there is bat involved. Glenn Phillips fires this one full and around middle, Angelo Mathews goes down for the sweep again, but this is too full for that shot, he also hits the ground with his bat as the ball goes through to hit the pads. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracking shows two reds but the impact is umpire’s call. Mathews survives, a big moment in this game!

71.3 – Flatter, short and on leg, Angelo Mathews stabs it to short leg.

71.2 – Tossed up, full and on middle, Angelo Mathews goes down to sweep it away, but this one bounces a bit more, takes the glove and pops just over leg slip for a brace.

71.1 – Quicker, short and on middle, Angelo Mathews pats it to short leg.

70.6 – Another half-tracker, on off, Angelo Mathews punches it through covers for one more. Sri Lanka lead by 200 runs now!

Batsman_1 : Angelo Mathews 32(66)

Batsman_2 : Dhananjaya de Silva 34(64)

Bowler : Mitchell Santner 0/51(14)

Over : 71

Run : 7

Wicket : 0

Score : 235/4

70.5 – Short again and on middle, Dhananjaya de Silva flicks it away through mid-wicket for one.

70.4 – Tossed up, full and on middle, Angelo Mathews knocks it towards mid on for another run.

70.3 – Short and around off, Dhananjaya de Silva punches it to sweeper covers for a single.

70.2 – Put down? Not sure there was an edge though! Slower through the air, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply, Dhananjaya de Silva looks to push it but the ball goes very close from the outside edge, Daryl Mitchell at first slip flies to his left and tries to grab it one-handed but spills it out. Two runs taken. The umpire signals nothing and reckons the batter hit it.