Colombo: Thilan Samaraweera hit a half-century under pressure to lead Sri Lanka’s recovery on the third day of the second and final Test against New Zealand at the P Sara Oval in Colombo on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka were in big trouble on 103-5 before finishing the day on 225-6 in reply to New Zealand’s first-innings 412, thanks to the middle-order batsman’s defiant and patient 76 not out off 156 deliveries.
Samaraweera, who had injured his finger while fielding, received valuable support from lower-order batsman Suraj Randiv who made a resolute 102-ball 34 not out, his highest score in 12 Tests.
The pair have so far added 97 and helped their team avoid the follow-on.
But the tourists were in control when bad light stopped play with 25.4 overs remaining in the day.
Sri Lanka, leading the series 1-0 following their 10-wicket win in the opening Test, are still 187 behind with a mere four wickets in hand.
Fast bowler Tim Southee, who took two wickets in an over on Monday, had Sri Lanka – resuming on 43-3 – in trouble in the morning when he struck twice before Samaraweera and Randiv steadied the innings.
Southee has so far taken four wickets for 51 off 19 overs. (AFP)
Brief scores:
NZ 1st inn: 412 all out
SL 1st inn: 225-6 (T Samaraweera 76 batting; T Southee 4-51)
