Dushmantha Chameera took a five-wicket-haul © Getty Images
Sri Lanka have shown resilience and have come back very strongly in the match owing to their brilliant bowling performance. All of their bowlers bowled beautifully on Saturday. Dushmantha Chameera stood out with a five-wicket-haul while slow left-arm orthodox bowler Rangana Herath picked two wickets. Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep also took a wicket each. For New Zealand, their opening batsman Martin Guptill with his 50-run knock was their top scorer. Chameera wrecked havoc yesterday with his variations and impeccable line and length. New Zealand lost four wickets for eight runs in four overs as Chameera claimed the scalps of Latham, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor while Herath removed Guptill. Live Cricket Scorecard: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2015-16, 2nd Test at Hamilton
Talking of New Zealand innings, Latham and Guptill gave them a brisk start and they cruised through to 81, giving New Zealand three consecutive half-century opening stands for the first time in 14 years. Chameera had been kept out of the attack for most of the partnership but when he came in he was on the money almost immediately, having Latham caught by Dimuth Karunaratne at leg gully for 28. In his next over he took out New Zealand’s batting kingpin Williamson for one. Again targeting the leg side, as he did with Latham, Chameera tempted Williamson into a pull shot which was skied to Suranga Lakmal at deep square leg. Guptill, who had looked solid as he reached 50, escaped the wrath of Chameera only to fall to Herath, playing across the line and getting an edge which was smartly taken by Mathews at first slip. Chameera completed the four-over rout to have Taylor caught by Dinesh Chandimal without scoring. Live Cricket Blog: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 2015-16, 2nd Test at Hamilton
McCullum, who put away his natural attacking instincts, was initially given out on 17 off 47 balls when caught by Udara Jayasundera in the deep. He was called back as he headed off the field as television replays showed Nuwan Pradeep’s delivery was a no ball. But he failed to make the most of the reprieve with his eventual dismissal coming one run later when he was neatly caught one-handed by Kusal Mendis at short leg. Santner made 38 and Watling 28 as New Zealand tried to recover but they still ended the day 60 runs behind with only one wicket remaining.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 292 (Angelo Mathews 77, Milinda Siriwardana 62; Tim Southee 3 for 63) vs New Zealand 232/9 (Martin Guptill 50, Mitchell Santner 38; Dushmantha Chameera 5 for 47)