Kusal Perera began in right earnest, after getting a life early on. He scored 51 off the first 70 runs Sri Lanka scored but there was almost nothing from the other end. Once he fell inside the first ten overs, the writing was on the wall. Santner and Ferguson struck twice apiece in the middle overs to further stem the run-flow. But then it was not about the runs. Theekshana and Madushanka faced 91 and 48 balls respectively, the most by any Sri Lanka batter today.
Will rain, that has not yet arrived, come to trouble New Zealand? Or will their journey to a couple of points be smooth? Join Madushka for the start of the chase soon.
5:23pm That lower-order guard just stole the thunder a bit off the New Zealand bowling. The damage was done up top – 74 for 5 in the first ten overs. But then the lower order helped them get to a score, that their bowlers can try and work with.
Here’s Trent Boult: “Half the job done, will look to be positively and chase it down. There’s enough in it for the spinners, slower than we thought. It’s always a learning curve coming to this part of the world. Very good conditions. Coming off a couple of hard losses, but good game of cricket. Looking to peak at the right time. [Relieved to not bowl to Fakhar Zaman on this surface?] That’s come and gone, the focus is on this one.”
Ravindra to Madushanka, OUT, And that is that. Latham holds on to a sharp catch and Sri Lanka have been bowled out for 171. Lands it on a length around middle and leg, Madushanka goes back to defend but gets a feather behind. End of the stubborn 43-run partnership for the last wicket
