CHRISTCHURCH (New Zealand): Two late wickets by Trent Boult put New Zealand back in control of the first Test against Sri Lanka Sunday after a maiden Test century by Dimuth Karunaratne had briefly given the tourists a glimmer of hope.
Sri Lanka were closing in on wiping out their 303-run first innings deficit with seven wickets in hand when Boult brought their cautious progress at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval to a halt.
He removed the defiant Karunaratne for 152 and Niroshan Dickwella for four as Sri Lanka were reduced to 293-5 at stumps, still 10 runs from making Kiwis bat again.
Angelo Mathews is not out 53 with Tharindu Kaushal on five while Boult, New Zealand’s chief wicket-taker, has three for 62.
Karunaratne was annoyed with his dismissal which came as he was about to appeal against the fading light.
Karunaratne believed a lead of 150 was possible for Sri Lanka and would be competitive on a turning wicket.
But New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling said Boult’s late double strike kept the initiative with the Black Caps.
“To make the bang-bang tonight put us back in the position where we look comfortable,” Watling said. “They obviously fought hard and played some good cricket but, all-in-all, 200 runs and five wickets in a day and they’re still behind us that’s a good day for us.” AFP