SL vs NZ | Karunarathne and Chandimal lead fightback after 35-run deficit on tightly fought Day 3

Today at 6:24 PM

New Zealand built upon the previous day's work with Daryl Mitchell's half-century and Glenn Phillips' 49 early on Day 3 at Galle. However, a Prabath Jayasuriya-triggered collapse restricted the lead to 35 before fifties from Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal saw them close the day at 237/4.

Resuming their overnight partnership of 59, Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell added 14 more runs to the 15th wicket before the former nicked off at slip against Prabath Jayasuriya. Mitchell nevertheless went on to complete his half-century but was trgaically runout by a combination of the Mendises for 57. Mitchell Santner departed two balls later, skipper Tim Southee followed in two overs' time, and Ajaz patel could only survive six deliveries as the score collapsed from 269/4 to 304/9. Pushed into a corner, Glenn Phillips broke out with two boundaries and five maximums while farming strike from William O'Rourke but was left stranded on 49 after Mendis scalped the number 11 to wrap out the innings for 340.

New Zealand began the third innings on a high as Southee took a flier at first slip off O'Rourke to send the in-form Pathum Nissanka walking in the third over. However, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal presented composed figures as they took the seam safely through to Lunch at 39/1 before batting the entirety of the second session and cointinuing to build after Tea.

Both batters made hay while the Kiwi spinners toiled, rotating strike fluently and adding to the score with an occasional boundary as they brought up their respective half-centuries. It took some rought footworks down Karunaratne's leg for a Patel ball to skid through under the attempted sweep and end the 147-run partnership by dismissing the opener for 83. One often brigns two, and Chandimal was scalped just seven deliveries later courtesy of O'Rourke. Kamindu Mendis began with aplomb, striking three early boundaries until the breezy 13 was cut short by throwing hands at a wide O'Rourke delivery. The experienced duo of Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva ensured there were no further setbacks on the day and carried their bat through a 59-run stand at Stumps, with the lead reading 202.

Fr?

it's time to have a serious conversation about tim southee's place in this team
— jed (timaru district council hater) (@TimaruKaBIMARU) September 20, 2024

Yeah!

Very good attendance at Galle for the #SLvsNZ test match today. 👏
— HG Wellals (@BactMargiana) September 20, 2024

Nice bowler!

William O'Rourke seems the sole threat for SLC as of now; The current batting partnership looks a blossoming one.

SL 134/1 at Tea (Day 3)#SLvNZ #SLvsNZ @OfficialSLC @BLACKCAPS @AllBlacks https://t.co/MP4S3nhPV2 pic.twitter.com/FylJVsFaJO
— 𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚊 𝙼𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚘𝚍𝚊 (@TharaMolligoda) September 20, 2024

They are well settled!

Srilanka look well set Nz would definitely like some quick wickets tommorow. Will be intresting to see what's on offer for the spinners. All set for a real close contest hopefully 🤞#SLvsNZ
— 🆁🅾🅻🅴🆇ᶜʳⁱᶜᵏᵉᵗᵍᵉᵉᵏ (@RoshanSriram123) September 20, 2024

That was unlucky!

Dimuth kuranaratne Misses out his 17th test Hundred What a player what a knock against Mighty Newzeland 👍👍👍🥵#SLvsNZ pic.twitter.com/xf0QuJWzDQ
— MUmairAli (@MUAli804K) September 20, 2024

haha!

Only William ORourke has had teeth in this New Zealand bowling line up ! Exceptional bit of bowling this 🔥#SLvNZ #SLvsNZ
— 🔁 (@Tutterdotcom) September 20, 2024

Great spell!