NZ drew with SL | Sri Lanka vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Test Match - Commentary

What about Sri Lanka? Close to 300 after being ASKED to bat. It is not a bad score at all but not totally enough either. Disciplined bowling might induce some false strokes and eventually wickets. Let's see how they respond with the ball. The new cherry will be the key, as Tim Southee showed...

Probably a day where the surface quickens up? That would be helpful for the Kiwis as the ball will come onto the bat nicely. The batsmen need to get more than just starts and make good use of the conditions.

Quick work done by the Kiwis. Just taken 3 overs this morning to wrap the innings up, for just 7 runs. Dickwella tried to get some quick runs but unfortunately, Kumara could not hang around much.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. OUT! Caught at leg gully! That is a sharp catch. Tim Southee gets a 6-fer. Smart bit of captaincy. Williamson positioned a man at leg gully and the ball has gone straight to him. Full and around middle and leg, Kumara looks to flick but the ball goes off the inner half of the bat towards leg gully. Colin de Grandhomme makes no mistake. SRI LANKA BOWLED OUT FOR 282!

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. Another bouncer, ducked under again.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. A bouncer around middle, Kumara ducks.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. On a length around off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Backs a long way to the leg side and slashes hard but misses.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, driven down the ground. Good diving stop by Colin de Grandhomme at mid off.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Gets a long way across and looks to flick but misses.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Backs away and punches this behind point for a couple.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Lucky! Full on middle, Dickwella gets across, looks to paddle but the ball hits the inner half of the bat and goes over the slips towards third man!

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to bowl from the other end. 26-6-77-1 so far.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Lahiru Kumara. Full and just around off, watchfully defended.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. On middle and leg, Niroshan works it through mid-wicket and takes the single.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman has driven it through mid on.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. On a length around off, Dickwella feels for the ball and it beats him, moving away late.

The players are out in the middle then. How long before this gets wrapped up? Lahiru Kumara has joined Niroshan Dickwella in the middle. Tim Southee to start off proceedings for the weekend. Here we go...

Russel Arnold now gets some time to spend with Dimuth Karunaratne. Karunaratne says that it is a good score. Adds that it was very difficult to bat on initially but then got easier to bat on. Reckons that Dickwella can score some quick runs and if they manage to get 300, it will be a good total. On his own batting, Dimuth says that he takes his time till the first 15 overs and then starts playing his shots. On missing out on a century, DK says that he does not want to focus on that but also admits that he lost focus and concentration when he got out.

Styris now has a chat with Tim Southee. The latter says that he has played a number of times at Basin and the new ball is always crucial. Adds that after that two guys got in and it became difficult to get wickets. Says that during that time, the Kiwis switched to plan B and bowl shorter stuff which seemed to work well. On being asked as to when do they decide to switch plans, Tim says that it boils down to experience. Styris now asks about plans for different batsmen and one's own strength - how to marry both? Southee smiles and says that it is a good question and smartly deflects that, by saying that players need to do a bit of both.

PITCH REPORT - Scott Styris doing the pitch report observes that it has browned off a little but there are hardly any footmarks, so the spinners will not come into play. However, there are some indentations bound by some grass, which could create some indifferent bounce.

WEATHER REPORT - Friday was stunning. Saturday is not less stunning either. Not a cloud in the sky and the only thing accompanying the vast blue surface above is that small circular thing in yellow - the hot sun which is high and shining.

A real gritty day of cricket was what Friday provided us. First, Tim Southee ran through the top order before you could prepare a cup of tea and then Mathews, Karunaratne and Dickwella fought back. The game is now poised at a stage where both teams would be reasonably happy but this first half an hour would be extremely crucial. If Sri Lanka can manage to get close to 300, the Kiwis could have their hands full. Hello and a warm welcome to the second day of the opening Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Wellington.

... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...

Logically and honestly, it might just be a matter of minutes before the innings is wrapped up on Day 2. But you never know with these 'I-don't-have-anything-to-lose' knocks. If Dickwella manages to hang around for 30 minutes or more, you can never predict Sri Lanka's final total. Join us at 11 am local time (2200 GMT, previous night) for all the action from Sunday. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

A bit of a see-saw day for the Kiwis. Tim Southee started brilliantly, taking 3 quick wickets and then came back to register a 5-fer but New Zealand will admit that they have not been at their clinical best. The highly consistent Boult and Wagner struggled and in the final session, bowled too many loose balls.

Niroshan Dickwella has been the centre of attraction so far. He came in at the fall of his skipper, at 167/5 and has not let it go away. After Mathews departed, he has taken the onus upon himself and added 88 runs with three partners so far, which could be very crucial in the context of this game. Without anyone noticing, he has moved to 73 and a century would mean that Sri Lanka cross 300, which could be a very good total on this surface.

Overall, New Zealand's day but Sri Lanka will share the spoils. They were looking down and out at 9/3 but since then, they fought really hard. The 133-run stand between Mathews and Karunaratne shored things up while a bit of a rearguard action has ensured that it was not a meek surrender.

Wow. Just wow. If you are Dickwella or Rajitha, you would be wondering - what just happened. The 9th wicket pair was looking good but just a lapse in concentration has seen a wicket go down.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. OUT! A wicket on the last ball of the day. Loose shot from Rajitha. After having seen off so many deliveries, he falls to the final one of the day. Boult eventually gets a wicket. Full length delivery outside off, Rajitha looks to drive but gets an outside edge towards Watling who takes a comfortable catch. THAT WILL ALSO BE STUMPS ON DAY 1.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Full outside off, Rajitha offers no shot.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Wide outside off, Rajitha offers no shot.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery on middle, the left-hander flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Bowls a bouncer, Niroshan looks to play but ducks it in the last moment.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Dickwella defends off the front foot.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Wide outside off, Kasun lets it go.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Swinging away from the batsman, Rajitha looks to defend but gets beaten on this one.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on off, Dickwella cuts it towards point for a single.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Brilliant bowling from Southee. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander looks to drive but gets beaten on this one.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Swinging into middle and going down the leg side, Dickwella still goes after it.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Bowls down the leg side, Dickwella lets it go.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Full on leg, Kasun flicks it to mid on.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Bowls full outside off, Rajitha offers no shot.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on off, Niroshan drives it towards point for a single.

With that, the clock has ticked past 6.20 pm local time. Even if Sri Lanka are bowled out and there is time left, it will be Stumps and New Zealand will not come out to bat.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander lets it go.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Length delivery on off, Dickwella looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It goes past third slip and goes towards third man for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella lets it go.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Length delivery on middle, Rajitha looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Full on off, Rajitha looks to defend but gets an outside edge. It goes past third slip and it goes towards third man. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Good length delivery on middle, Kasun blocks it well.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Bowls a bouncer, Rajitha does well to duck under it.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump again.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. Full and wide outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Nicely done! A short ball outside off, Dickwella ramps it over the slip cordon to the third man fence!

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Backs away to the leg side and drills a full ball on the stumps straight to cover.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman just manages to keep the yorker out. Good ball bowled by the bowler.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Gets across, attempts a paddle, then a reverse paddle, connects neither.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. A yorker outside off, jammed back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Kasun Rajitha. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Cheeky! Full toss on middle, Dickwella gets down and paddles it over the keeper towards the fine leg fence!

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Full around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, Dickwella feels for it but misses.

Tim Southee is back on as well. 22-6-59-5 so far.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Full delivery on middle, Rajitha flicks it towards fine leg.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. NOT OUT! Umpire's call saves Rajitha. Length delivery on leg, Rajitha looked to flick but got hit on the pads. Boult appealed but the umpire shook his head. Boult felt it was close and convinced Williamson to go for the review. Ball tracking was taking a long time to come and the third umpire almost ruled the decision as not out. However, they did get the technology in the end. That shows the impact is in line but it is clipping the top of the stumps, which means umpire's call would stay and New Zealand retain their review.

HOWZZAT??? Has Boult got one, LBW? Has it pitched outside leg? New Zealand feel this is gone and Williamson wants a second opinion.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on middle, the southpaw flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery on off, Dickwella defends off the back foot.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on middle, the left-hander drives it towards mid on. The batsmen decide against the run.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery outside off, Dickwella offers no shot.

The second new ball is due. AND IT IS IMMEDIATELY TAKEN. Trent Boult to make the first use of it. 22-6-66-0 so far.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. Around off, pushed down the ground.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. Outside off, played uppishly, away from his body, towards the off side.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. Goes right back in his crease and pushes it back to the bowler.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. Around off, defended from the crease.

Neil Wagner returns. 19-1-75-2 so far.

Ajaz Patel to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Just over! Flighted outside off, Dickwella jumps out of his crease and drags it over mid on. The fielder thinks he has a chance, rushes across to his left and leaps but the ball eludes him.

Ajaz Patel to Niroshan Dickwella. This is miles outside off, Niroshan walks across and then shoulders arms.

Ajaz Patel to Niroshan Dickwella. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Ajaz Patel to Niroshan Dickwella. Wide outside off, left alone.

Ajaz Patel to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, Niroshan looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Ajaz Patel to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, Dickwella looks to play the reverse sweep but misses. The ball kisses the bottom edge and goes past the keeper behind. Two runs taken.

Ajaz Patel is called back again. Just 2 overs to go to the second new ball. 2-0-8-0 so far.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Around off, punched wide of mid on. KR thinks about the single but then sends Dickwella back.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. The batsman has dug out that yorker at the last second.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Outside off, much fuller, Kasun feels for it and gets beaten.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Outside off, punched off the back foot.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Nice way to get to your half century! A crucial innings by Dickwella. Playing with controlled aggression and he is actually batting well with the tail here. You never know, how crucial will these runs turn out to be in the end. A short ball outside off, Dickwella waits for the ball and then ramps it over the keeper to the third man fence.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! This time he gets the heave-ho right. It is wide of short mid-wicket and races to the fence.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and around middle, Dickwella heaves it towards mid on.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Backs away and steers a full ball but straight to backward point.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Goes fuller, around middle, Niroshan keeps it out with a closed-faced bat. Gets it towards square leg for a single. Oh no... pardon me, they do not run. The farming continues.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball outside off, Dickwella has a thought of ramping it over the slips but then bails out at the last moment.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Full and around middle and leg, tucked towards short leg.

Trent Boult to Kasun Rajitha. Full and around off, solidly defended.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on middle, Niroshan chips this uppishly, just above the leaping bowler, down the ground for a single.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Ohohohoho.... ND gets right in line to scoop this delivery but perhaps telegraphed his intentions a bit too early. Boult spots that and bowls it very full, in line of the stumps. Dickwella has to defend.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Landed outside off, Dickwella runs it down towards third man. Colin de Grandhomme dives to his right from backward point and takes some sting off the ball - but Niroshan is not even thinking about the single.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Kasun Rajitha. A bouncer, around middle, ducked under.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Another short ball, pulled down to long leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball, pulled towards deep mid-wicket. They do not run.

Kasun Rajitha walks in next, at number 10, replacing Lakmal.

Neil Wagner to Suranga Lakmal. OUT! That is a fantastic catch from Henry Nicholls! It is never easy to run with the helmet on and that too, backwards. But Nicholls has kept his eye on the ball and taken a stunner. A short ball, outside off, Lakmal looks to pull but is done in by the bounce. Gets a top edge and it balloons in the air, around mid-wicket. There are two men running back - Nicholls from short leg and someone else from short mid-wicket. Eventually, the former calls, goes for it and then dives in the end to take a superb catch. Wagner has his second. Has had to toil hard.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball, around leg, Dickwella plays a half-jab, half pull, into the ground and it bounces over short leg. A single taken. Moves to 40 from just 47 balls.

Trent Boult to Suranga Lakmal. Much better from Boult. Springs in that surprise full ball. Suranga drives it towards cover.

Trent Boult to Suranga Lakmal. Around off again, Lakmal stays back and blocks.

Trent Boult to Suranga Lakmal. Landed around off, solidly defended towards cover.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Another short ball, New Zealand seem to be getting carried away here. Calmly pulled through square leg for a single.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.

Neil Wagner to Suranga Lakmal. Full on off, the batsman drives it to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Suranga Lakmal. Length delivery on off, Lakmal drives it to point.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. NO BALL! Wagner oversteps. Full toss on leg, Niroshan flicks it towards fine leg. The batsmen take a single.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Short of length delivery, Dickwella looks to pull but misses it.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Good shot. Short outside off, Dickwella cuts it through point for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Bowls a bouncer, the left-hander does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Short of length delivery on leg, Dickwella pulls it towards square leg for a run.

DRINKS BREAK.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. The batsman has played it fine down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Up and over! About time now that Dickwella starts playing his shots. Full and wide outside off, Niroshan sees the length and the width and throws his bat at it. Gets it over cover and earns a couple. IT IS DECLARED AS A SHORT RUN.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. On a length just outside off, solidly defended.

Trent Boult to Suranga Lakmal. Down the leg side, flicked away for a single.

Trent Boult to Suranga Lakmal. A short ball, down the leg side, Lakmal looks to pull but misses.

Trent Boult to Suranga Lakmal. Outside off, pushed straight to point.

Trent Boult is back on. 18-5-59-0 so far. Can he wrap this up quickly?

Neil Wagner to Suranga Lakmal. Down the leg side, Suranga misses his tuck and the ball goes off his pads through square leg. A leg bye taken.

Neil Wagner to Suranga Lakmal. A bouncer now, Lakmal ducks.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. A short ball, pulled down to fine leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. Landed outside off, steered straight to point.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Niroshan Dickwella. A wayward bouncer, around middle and leg, Dickwella ducks.

Colin de Grandhomme to Suranga Lakmal. That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. They manage to come back for the second.

Suranga Lakmal is the new batsman in.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. OUT! The frustrating 36-run stand is broken. Dilruwan Perera is out of here. Good length delivery outside off, Perera looks to drive but gets an outside edge towards Watling who takes a comfortable catch. There was no feet movement from him. Sri Lanka in tatters now. Can they get to 250?

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. Good length delivery on middle, Dilruwan defends off the back foot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. Good length delivery on off, Perera defends off the back foot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Dickwella looks to drive but gets an outside edge towards second slip. It fell short of the fielder and it goes through him. The batsmen get three runs.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Dickwella plays it to point.

Neil Wagner to Dilruwan Perera. Good length delivery on off, the batsman defends off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Dilruwan Perera. Good length delivery outside off, Dilruwan looks to defend but gets beaten on this one.

Neil Wagner to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls a bouncer, Perera does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Dilruwan Perera. Short of length delivery, the batsman defends off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls a bouncer, Perera does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Dilruwan Perera. Length delivery on off, Dilruwan drives it to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery on off, the southpaw keeps it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Wide outside off, Dickwella looks to chase it but is beaten on this one.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Length delivery on off, the left-hander plays it to covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Wide outside off, Dickwella lets it go.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. Length delivery on leg, Diruwan looks to flick but gets it off his pads towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run. Interestingly, no signal from the umpire. Must have been an inside edge then.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on leg, Dickwella flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Another lovely shot. A half volley, outside off, this time Perera goes straighter. Boult tries to stop it with his outstretched left hand but misses. Another brace, down to long off. The stand is now worth 31 from just 45 balls.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Full and outside off, Dilruwan leans and drives it through the covers for a couple.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Around off, watchfully pushed away.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Bouncer! The batsman ducks under the bouncer at the last moment.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, pushed with an open face through point for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. Full on middle, Dilruwan flicks it to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. CLOSE SHAVE! Full on off, Perera looked to defend and then tried to leave. Was late and hence got an inside edge which just missed the leg stump.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls full on off, Perera looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Niroshan drives it towards covers for a run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Again on a good length on middle, the left-hander keeps it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery on off, Dickwella defends off the front foot.

Colin de Grandhomme returns.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on middle, the left-hander drives it towards mid on for a single.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery on off, Niroshan keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Dickwella plays it to point.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Good length delivery on off, the left-hander blocks it well.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Dickwella drives it through point for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. FOUR! Easy pickings. Length delivery on the pads, Dickwella flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls a bouncer, the batsman ducks underneath it.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. FOUR! 200 up for Sri Lanka. How much more they can add? Good shot from Dilruwan Perera. Full on off, Perera drives it through mid off for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls a bouncer, the batsman does well to duck under it.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Length delivery outside leg, Perera lets it go.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls short on leg, Dilruwan defends it off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Short of length delivery, Dickwella pulls it towards fine leg. The batsmen take a run.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Full on off, Dilruwan plays it to point.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Short delivery on leg, Niroshan pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. BEATEN! Reverse swing from Boult. Swinging away from the batsman, Dickwella looks to defend but misses it completely.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Again short of length delivery, the left-hander pushes it to mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Short of length delivery, Dickwella flicks it to square leg.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full on off, Dickwella looks to defend but gets an edge towards point. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls a bouncer, the right-hander does well to duck under it.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Full delivery on middle, Dilruwan flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen take two runs.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Good length delivery on off, the batsman defends off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Bowls a bouncer, Perera does well to duck under it.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Good length delivery on off, Perera defends off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Short of length delivery, Dickwella pulls it towards square leg for a single. He wanted the second but is sent back rightly by Perera.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. DID THAT CARRY? Not sure. On a length around off, Dilruwan looked to defend but got a thick inside edge onto his thighs. The ball went behind and Bradley Watling dived to his right. Hard to say whether the ball hit the glove first and died down or went down and then hit the glove.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Full and around off, driven back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Outside off, left alone.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. FOUR! Edgy boundary. Full and outside off, Perera looks to drive but the away movement induces an outside edge. It flies behind gully and races to the third man fence.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. Played to the point region by the batsman.

Trent Boult to Dilruwan Perera. A bouncer around middle, Perera ducks.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a single. Fiery over from Southee.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it.

Tim Southee to Dilruwan Perera. Not surprisingly, a bouncer to greet the new man. Perera ducks.

Into the all-rounders now. Dilruwan Perera walks in next.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. OUT! Mathews goes now! No century for him either! New Zealand have gone bang bang since Tea. Second wicket in the space of 4 overs and both the important batters are gone. Attacking is fine but perhaps Mathews showed lesser awareness of the game here. New Zealand were bowling to a plan and they were attacking him with the short ball. He could have left those alone, at least for some period after Tea. But the instinct to score runs and not back off has consumed him. This short ball is pitched outside leg and Mathews cannot resist the pull shot. Is cramped for room and gets a top edge. Simple catch for Bradley Watling and it is a Michelle for Southee. His 8th Test 5-fer, 1st at Wellington and second against Sri Lanka overall.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Again a short ball, this time a controlled pull shot is played, towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. OFF THE GLOVE, OVER THE KEEPER! FOUR! Fortuitous period for the Lankans. A short ball, down the leg side, Dickwella looks to pull but is cramped for room. Gets a bit of a glove and it just eludes a leaping Watling to the fine leg fence.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Way down the leg side, Angelo misses his flick. 14 from that over!

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. EDGED, FOUR! More luck for Mathews. Full and outside off, Angelo makes a feeble-looking poke and gets an outside edge as there is no feet movement. However, there is no slip and the ball races to the third man fence past the diving Bradley Watling! Mathews moves to 83 with that.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Full and outside off, Niroshan punches this through the covers. Finds the gap and gets three runs. The stand is worth 11 from 8 balls.

Trent Boult to Niroshan Dickwella. Goes fuller, Dickwella pushes it towards mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Another short ball, another pull shot. This time more in control. Towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. TOP EDGE, SIX! New Zealand are attacking Sri Lanka but the latter are counter-attacking. Could be an entertaining period of 30 minutes coming up. The ball is pitched around middle, Mathews looks to pull but the bounce does him in. Takes the top edge and fine leg seems interested. But then, realizes that it is flying. Way over his head.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Down the leg side, Dickwella misses his tuck. A productive over for Southee.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. Around middle, on a length, defended in front of short leg.

Tim Southee to Niroshan Dickwella. A bouncer to greet the keeper, Dickwella ducks.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. A short ball outside off, Mathews plays a horizontal pull shot through mid-wicket and gets a single.

Right. Into the wicket-keeper now. Niroshan Dickwella strides out to the middle. Likes to live on the edge. Suddenly, you could see the Lankans raise up their 200 in the next half an hour if he is there. Else, you might see Dilruwan out in the middle during that period as well. The batsmen crossed, so Mathews will be on strike.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. OUT! Chandimal falls immediately after Tea! Southee has his fourth and Sri Lanka are in trouble again. Half the side is back in the hut. A short ball, around off, Dinesh looked to pull but was not in control of that shot. The height and bounce got big on him and a top edge was induced. Ajaz Patel at deep mid-wicket waited and waited and waited and cupped the catch safely. Early success for the hosts after the break. Can they run through the lower order now?

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. On a length outside off, Chandimal rises with the bounce and keeps it down.

Southee to continue from the other end.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. A length ball, around middle, watchfully defended.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. A bouncer now, Angelo ducks.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Full again, defended back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Full and around off, Mathews plays away from his body and pushes it off the bottom edge, back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Around off, solidly defended.

The players and the umpires are out in the middle. Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews are at the crease. Trent Boult will start the proceedings after Tea.

... DAY 1, SESSION 3 ...

Excellent bowling from the Kiwis. They have not got much help in the second session but still did not allow the Lankans to get off the hook. With the ball now reversing, they will be looking to prize out a wicket or two quickly after Tea and then have the tail at their mercy. Join us back at 4 pm local (0300 GMT). 34 overs left, so it is going to be a long session...

No prizes for saying that the Mathews-Chandimal stand is the key for the Lankans but the latter is eating up too many deliveries. He is certainly not comfortable, scoring just 6 from 32 balls, in a stand worth 57 deliveries. Mathews has not got frustrated as yet - but there might come a time when he might.

Sri Lanka's session, without a doubt. 94 runs scored, in 29 overs, for the loss of Karunaratne. They have the foundation for a big score but as was said at Lunch, they have a big tail.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. A bouncer around middle, Chandimal ducks. TEA ON DAY 1, SRI LANKA ARE 167/4!

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. He is taking on Southee even in these dying moments before Tea. Another short ball, pulled with total control, this time behind square leg for a run.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. That is a cracking pull shot - but straight to Colin de Grandhomme at square leg. Perfectly played shot, perfectly placed fielder.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Down the leg side, tucked through fine leg for a single.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. A bouncer now, Chandimal ducks.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Around off, watchfully kept out.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. A short ball again, outside off, nicely controlled through mid-wicket, with a pull shot, for a couple. Wagner is not happy with himself at all. Nearly kicks the fielder who comes in to take the throw!

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. A short ball outside off, Angelo plays away from his body and pushes the ball towards point.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full and around off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, punched to the off side.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full and around off, Mathews looks to drive through the off side but the ball REVERSES - yes reverses in a little and goes off the inner half back to the bowler. However, Wagner slips and is not able to stop it. The ball goes to long on and the batsmen take a brace. The stand is now worth 21.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Around off, watchfully blocked out.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Down the leg side short again, this time the skipper walks across and shoulders arms.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Ooohhh... more aggression. Short and at the body from Southee, DC rises and looks to fend it down but the ball almost goes straight to the man under the lid on the leg side.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. That is a brute. A short ball, around off, Dinesh is in the air while trying to fend that one. Has no idea where and how to play the ball as he takes his eyes off. In the end, the ball hits his gloves and dies down on the off side.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. A sharp bouncer, right at the head, Chandimal sways away in a hurry.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. On middle and leg, flicked away for a run.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Down the leg side, flicked away for a run.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, allowed to go through.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. TOP EDGE, SAFE! More short stuff from Wagner but this time, Chandimal takes him on. It is around off, angling away, the Lankan skipper goes for the pull, miscues it but because there is no one in the deep, it is okay. Lands safely and almost reaches the fence. By the time it is retrieved, three runs are taken.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. A bouncer now, Chandimal ducks with ease.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Fractionally short of full, tucked through mid-wicket for a single.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full and around leg stump, Mathews falls over in his attempt to flick but manages to make contact and push the ball back towards the bowler.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Fuller in length, driven straight to mid off.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. A bouncer around off, Dinesh ducks.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Goes back and punches it towards cover.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Stays back in his crease and blocks it out.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. A short ball, down the leg side, Chandimal looks to pull but misses.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Length delivery on middle, Chandimal flicks it towards the leg side for a single.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Bowls a bouncer, the skipper does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Full outside off, the skipper drives it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Good length delivery on off, Chandimal defends off the front foot.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Good length delivery outside off, Chandimal offers no shot.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Short of length delivery, Mathews pulls it towards fine leg. Tom Latham puts a brilliant dive to his right and saves runs for his team.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Good length delivery on off, Chandimal looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards second slip where it falls short of Tom Latham.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Good length delivery on middle, Chandimal keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Full on off, Mathews drives it towards covers. The batsmen take a single.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on middle, the batsman keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews blocks it off his back foot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Wide outside off, the skipper offers no shot.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Short of length delivery outside off, Mathews pulls it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Bowls a bouncer, Mathews does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it to mid-wicket where de Grandhomme dives to his right and saves runs for his team.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! 150 up for Sri Lanka. Errs in line and length, Mathews flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full on off, Mathews drives it to mid off.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Full outside off, Chandimal drives it to short cover.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Good length delivery on off, Chandimal blocks it well.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Bowls wide outside off, the captain offers no shot.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Good length delivery outside off, the skipper shoulders his arms to this one.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Full on middle, Chandimal flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Dinesh Chandimal. Bowls wide outside off, Chandimal lets it go.

Tim Southee is back into the attack.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! Poor delivery from Wagner. Full on leg, Mathews flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary. The fielder had no chance there.

Neil Wagner to Dinesh Chandimal. Length delivery on leg, Chandimal nudges it towards the leg side for a single.

Dinesh Chandimal is the new batsman in.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. OUT! No century for Karunaratne! Given the lives he was having, might have even scored a double. Wagner bowls short outside leg, Dimuth Karunaratne looks to pull but cannot quite make good connection. The ball takes a faint edge towards the keeper where Watling takes a comfortable catch. Big wicket for New Zealand. The 133-run stand is broken at last.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on leg, Mathews nudges it towards the leg side for a run.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery outside off, Mathews offers no shot.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Flighted delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it past short leg where the fielder does not get a hand to it. The batsmen get a run.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Tossed up on off, the batsman blocks it well.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Floated on middle, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Ajaz Patel to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short outside off, Karunaratne plays a late cut towards third man. The fielder makes an excellent effort just before the ropes. The batsmen get three runs.

Ajaz Patel to Dimuth Karunaratne. Flighted delivery on off, the left-hander blocks it off his back foot.

Ajaz Patel to Dimuth Karunaratne. Tossed up on middle, Karunaratne blocks it well.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, the right-hander keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short again, the left-hander pulls it towards fine leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Dimuth Karunaratne making good use of the luck he got early. Short delivery on leg, Karunaratne pulls it through square leg for a delightful boundary.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short of length delivery, Karunaratne looks to pull but does not get the connection. He manages to get a bottom edge on this one.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls a bouncer, Karunaratne does well to duck under it.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Tossed up on middle, Mathews dances down the track and defends it.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Flighted delivery on off, Mathews keeps it out.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Floated on middle, the batsman defends off the back foot.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Flighted delivery on off, the batsman blocks it well.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. Tossed up on off, Mathews defends off the front foot.

Ajaz Patel to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! Fifty for Angelo Mathews. Great innings from him under pressure. Short outside off, Mathews rocks back and cuts it through point for a boundary.

First sign of spin. Here comes Ajaz Patel.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne blocks it well.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on middle, Karunaratne defends off the front foot.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full outside off, the southpaw drives it to covers.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on leg, the left-hander flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on middle and leg, Karunaratne looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The batsmen take a run.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on off, Karunaratne plays it to mid off.

DRINKS BREAK.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short outside off, Karunaratne cuts it towards point for a run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full outside off, the batsman drives it to short cover.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne offers no shot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full again on off, the left-hander drives it again to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on off, the southpaw drives it to mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on middle, Karunaratne drives it to mid on.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery outside off, Mathews looks to cut but gets beaten on this one.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Wide outside off, Mathews offers no shot.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery outside off, Karunaratne punches it towards covers. The batsmen take a single.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne keeps it out.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen cross ends.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the front foot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. A touch short, around middle, Mathews swivels and pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Played to the point region by the batsman.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Another one off the outside edge. Outside off, Karunaratne looks to push but gets squared up. The ball goes off the outside edge, but wide of gully, to the third man fence.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Around off, tucked through square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full and outside off, loose from Angelo as he slashes but misses.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. IN THE AIR... ALMOST A CATCH! More and more luck for Sri Lanka. On a length, around off, Mathews goes back and looks to punch but the ball sticks on the surface. He is through with his shot and the ball takes the toe end of the bat and goes aerially towards the bowler. Luckily for him, it does not carry to Wagner.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short and outside off, cut through point for a couple.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman fails to put bat on ball.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Down the leg side, nudged fine for a run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! 100-RUN STAND IS RAISED! What a fightback and now, the run rate is increasing as well. Full and straight, Mathews drives it straight back down the ground, past the bowler and earns a boundary.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.

Colin de Grandhomme is back on.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and around off, watchfully kept out.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Ouch. Indecision from Dimuth. A short ball, around off, Karunaratne looks to pull initially, but at the last moment, takes the eyes off the ball. Is hit on the chest.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a run.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman works it down the leg side for a single.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! The runs are flowing. Boundaries are coming at will. 6th boundary in 10th over of this session. Full and swinging in, perhaps a bit too full. Karunaratne is ready and flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary!

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Another short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! STUPENDOUS! A short ball, around off, Karunaratne swivels, pounces on the length and pulls it through square leg. There is a man at deep backward square leg. There is a man in front of square leg. The shot bisects them to perfection. 100 UP FOR SRI LANKA! The stand is now worth 92.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Very full, around off, driven down the ground.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and around off, driven towards mid off.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Around off, cutting in, helped through square leg for a single.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and around middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, pushed away from his body, a bit uppishly. The man from gully dives to his right and catches the ball... but after it bounces.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and down the leg side, Dimuth misses his flick.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Around off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. WELL-DESERVED FIFTY FOR KARUNARATNE. His 21st in Tests, third against New Zealand. Sri Lanka desperately needed him to get runs and he has got them. You do need some luck while playing a big knock and he has got that too. Gets to the landmark with a gentle tuck through mid-wicket. Now - can he get a triple?

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. EDGED, FOUR! Both players are leading the lives of a cat at the moment. Full and around middle, swinging in, Karunaratne looks to flick but the ball takes the outside edge and just eludes a diving second slip, to the third man fence!

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed outside off, left alone.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. INSIDE EDGE, MISSES THE STUMPS! Well, things are certainly starting to happen. Full and outside off, Mathews pushes at it away from his body and gets a thick inside edge past the stumps, towards fine leg! A single taken.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, pushed to the off side.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. This one jags back in, Dimuth plays all around it, looking to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Going down the leg side.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Very full, around off, swinging away again, Karunaratne walks into the shot and pushes it towards mid on.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, swinging away, played towards point.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. On middle and leg, helped towards square leg.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, swinging away, played through the covers for a couple. The stand is now worth 81. These two have 6 50-plus stands with each other in Tests - NONE crossing the 3-digit mark. 96 is their highest, against New Zealand, in Christchurch, in 2014.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Around off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. On a length outside off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. TOP EDGE, SAFE, FOUR! There comes the self-induced pressure. Mathews and Karunaratne kind of feel compelled to keep the scoreboard ticking and hence are looking at opportunities to score. A short ball, around middle, Mathews looks to pull but gets a top edge. Luckily for him, the ball goes towards fine leg while the fielder is stationed at long leg.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, pushed away from his body towards point.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed outside off, let through.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed on a length around middle, tucked towards square leg.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. One more leave outside off.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed outside off, this is a touch wide, left alone.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, there is the tempter, dangling the carrot, full and outside off, Karunaratne looks to drive but misses.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Landed outside off, pushed towards point.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Wide outside off, Mathews offers no shot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery outside off, the batsman shoulders his arms to this one.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. FOUR LEG BYES! Length delivery on leg, Mathews looks to flick but gets it off his pads. The ball goes past Watling who puts in a dive to his left but cannot stop it and it races away to the fine leg fence.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Swinging away from the batsman, Mathews shoulders his arms to this one.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery outside off, Mathews offers no shot.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on middle, Karunaratne defends off the back foot.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on middle, Karunaratne flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on off, the southpaw defends off the front foot.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on middle, the left-hander defends off the back foot.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Swinging away from the batsman, Karunaratne looks to defend but gets beaten on this one.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne blocks it off his front foot.

Trent Boult to bowl from the other end post Lunch.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on leg, the southpaw flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Poor delivery from Southee. Full on leg, Karunaratne flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls full on leg, Karunaratne looks to flick but gets it off the pads and goes towards Watling. Southee appeals and Watling also joins him but the umpire shakes his head.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls down the leg side, the left-hander lets it go.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on off, Karunaratne drives it to short cover.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on middle, Karunaratne defends off the front foot.

The players and the umpires are out in the middle. Karunaratne and Mathews are at the crease. Tim Southee will start the proceedings after Lunch. Karunaratne will take the strike.

... DAY 1, SESSION 2 ...

The stand between Mathews and Karunaratne is currently worth 64 and both batsmen are looking increasingly confident and assured. At the same time, the Kiwis have not bowled badly. Only Wagner has tried a bit too hard and leaked some runs. As the great Geoffrey Boycott says - add 2 wickets to the current score and then see how it is looking. The Lankan tail is a big one and a wicket or two quickly after Lunch can derail them. Sri Lanka need two mammoth knocks. Period. New Zealand need to be disciplined. There is plenty on the pitch for the bowlers. Join us back at 1.40 pm local (0040 GMT).

5/1, 7/2 and then 9/3 - Sri Lanka were in all sorts of tatters as Southee ripped the top order apart in the span of 7 balls. At that stage, it looked like the Lankans might get bowled out in the first session itself. But Mathews, along with his experience and Karunaratne, using his composure, have ensured that we have some contest.

A great session of cricket - with two halves. The first 30 minutes was all New Zealand. The remaining, have seen a wonderful fightback from Sri Lanka.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on middle, the batsman blocks it well. THAT IS LUNCH ON DAY 1.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. BIG SHOUT FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Bowls length delivery on leg, Mathews looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. Probably the ball pitched outside leg.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short of length delivery, the left-hander pulls it towards square leg for a run.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne defends off the front foot.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on off, Karunaratne plays it to point.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, the southpaw keeps it out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the front foot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Full again on off, the batsman drives it to covers.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! Full on off, Mathews drives it straight through mid off for a boundary.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Fuller in length, driven towards mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, fuller in length, Karunaratne looks to defend but misses.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. The batsman works it down the leg side for a single.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Typical response from a fast bowler, Mathews ducks.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! SLAUGHTERED! Dropped short around off, Mathews swivels and pulls it behind square leg for a boundary!

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. A bouncer on middle, Mathews ducks.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on off, Karunaratne looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. Probably impact was outside off.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander lets it go.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Length delivery on off, Karunaratne looks to defend but misses it and gets hit low on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Probably there was an inside edge.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls wide outside off, Karunaratne offers no shot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on middle, Mathews tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on middle, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls short down the leg side, Karunaratne shoulders his arms to this one.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls a bouncer, Karunaratne does well to duck under it.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Short delivery, the batsman pulls it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Short on off, Mathews gets extra bounce on this one and defends it off the back foot.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Short of length delivery, Mathews pulls it towards fine leg where Tom Latham does a brilliant job to save runs for the team, with a dive to his right.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Bowls a bouncer outside leg, Mathews easily leaves it alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on middle, Karunaratne drives it to mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on middle, Karunaratne drives it straight to mid on.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, the left-hander blocks it well.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander offers no shot.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on leg, Karunaratne looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Probably it is pitching outside leg.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on off, Karunaratne defends off the front foot.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Down the leg side, flicked through square leg for one.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Banged in short, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. A short ball, around middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. IT IS A NO BALL! Dear me... poor Williamson. He had the 4th wicket... only for his bowler to overstep. It has not even touched the line, the foot that is. A full toss, around middle, Karunaratne clips it but straight to short mid-wicket. The umpire wants to check upstairs for the overstepping and he is not proved wrong.

Oh dear... What has happened here? Karunaratne has thrown it away. New Zealand have got their 4th wicket. Hang on... has de Grandhomme overstepped?

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, comes in a long way, Dimuth feels for it but misses.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, played straight to point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. A lovely yorker, around off, watchfully dug out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman has played it to the point region.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Full on middle, Mathews flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! SLAP! Short and outside off, Karunaratne gets on top of that and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary!

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. A riposte from Wagner. A short ball, around off, Dimuth ducks.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Wrong line. Down the leg side, fuller in length, Karunaratne tickles it to the fine leg fence.

Neil Wagner to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, coming in slightly, left alone.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Short and outside off, a touch wide, Mathews reaches out and punches it through the covers for three.

Neil Wagner to Angelo Mathews. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Neil Wagner to bowl as well.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Down the leg side, helped through square leg for a single.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Around off, solidly defended.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Around off, helped towards mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, driven towards mid off.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short and around off, Karunaratne unfurls a cracking pull shot but finds short mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Changes the angle slightly, goes through the covers and earn as a single.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Very good shot again. Full and straight, driven straight down the ground.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Around off, nicely hopped to defend.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. On middle and leg, tucked straight to square leg.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Better from de Grandhomme, changes the angle and bowls a cutter outside off, Dimuth lets it go.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, Dimuth leans into this one and drives it very fluently through the covers for a couple.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Around off, angling away, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, driven beautifully through point for a couple.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! That's a bit too straight, Karunaratne clips it to the fine leg fence.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. A bouncer, a bit too short around off, comfortably ducked under.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Full and outside off, swinging away, driven back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. The ball has taken the inside edge of the bat and goes down the leg side.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, left alone.

DRINKS BREAK. Tim Southee gets a change of ends.

Colin de Grandhomme to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, left alone.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. The batsman fails to get bat on that one and is hit on the pad. The batsmen have run through for a single. Leg bye signalled by the umpire.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Outside off, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Full again, watchfully pressed out.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Colin de Grandhomme to Angelo Mathews. Landed outside off, gentle outswing, left alone.

First bowling change. Colin de Grandhomme has been given an opportunity.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Around off, dabbed to the off side.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. One run added to the total.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Short and outside off, Mathews slashes hard but misses.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Lovely inswinger, almost a yorker, around middle and off, dug out to the bowler.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. On a length around middle, angling away, Mathews hops and defends it towards point.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. BEATEN! Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne looks to defend but misses it.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a single.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on middle, Karunaratne flicks it towards mid-wicket. The fielder wanted to throw to Watling's end but it went wide of him. The batsmen take a run.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne looks to defend but gets beaten on this one.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! Classic straight drive from Karunaratne. Full on off, Dimuth drives it straight through mid off for a boundary.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls full on middle, Karunaratne hits it to mid on.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on middle, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery again outside off, the right-hander offers no shot.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery outside off, Mathews leaves it alone.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Bowls a bouncer, the batsman ducks underneath it.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Again on a good length on off, Mathews keeps it out.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the front foot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on leg, Mathews flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. FOUR! Good shot by Mathews. Full delivery on middle, Mathews drives it straight through mid on for a delightful boundary.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on middle, the batsman defends off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. BEATEN AGAIN! Brilliant bowling from Tim Southee. Tests him again outside off, Mathews looks to defend but misses it.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Swinging away from the batsman, Mathews looks to defend but gets beaten on this one.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Bowls a bouncer, Mathews does well to duck under it.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short outside off, Karunaratne cuts it through point. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on off, Karunaratne offers a forwards defense on this one.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne offers no shot.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. BEATEN! Good length delivery outside off, Karunaratne looks to drive but misses it.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Again on a good length on off, the left-hander blocks it well.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Nice away movement for Southee. Good length delivery outside off, the batsman offers no shot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Full on middle, Mathews flicks it through mid-wicket. The fielder does a brilliant job to save runs for the team. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Short on off, Mathews cuts it to point.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on off, Mathews looks to defend but gets an outside edge towards fourth slip. It was well short of the fielder.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews defends off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on off, Karunaratne defends and sets off. The batsmen take a quick single.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on middle, Mathews flicks it to the leg side.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on off, Mathews looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Bowls wide outside off stump, the batsman lets it go.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on off, the batsman blocks it off his back foot.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Bowls a bouncer, Mathews does well to duck under it.

Trent Boult to Angelo Mathews. Good length delivery on off, Mathews keeps it out.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, the left-hander blocks it well.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Short of length delivery outside off, Karunaratne looks to pull but misses it and gets beaten on this one.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on off, the left-hander defends off the front foot.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne looks to defend but gets hit on the pads.

Tim Southee to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery on off, Karunaratne defends off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Angelo Mathews. Length delivery on leg, Mathews flicks it towards square leg but gets it off his pads. The batsmen cross ends. The umpire gives it as a leg bye.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Length delivery on leg, the left-hander flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full delivery on middle, Karunaratne drives it straight through mid on. The batsmen pick up a couple. The fielder does an excellent job to save runs for his team.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Outside off, let through.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Way down the leg side, flick shot missed.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full on middle, tailing in prodigiously, Karunaratne falls over but manages to flick it towards mid-wicket. Nearly crept through.

Angelo Mathews walks in.

Tim Southee to Kusal Mendis. OUT! And then they were three! Kusal Mendis joins the departure list. Very poor shot from him. Bowls full on middle, Kusal looks to flick it over mid-wicket but does not time it well. Ends up giving a simple catch to Ajaz Patel at short mid-wicket. Mendis stands there, looking at the ground, before trudging off. Sri Lanka lose their third wicket. Lacklustre cricket from Sri Lanka.

Tim Southee to Kusal Mendis. Full again on middle, Mendis flicks it through mid-wicket. The ball does stop before the ropes because it got slowed down. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Tim Southee to Kusal Mendis. Full delivery on middle, Kusal flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Kusal Mendis. Good length delivery on off, Mendis defends off the front foot.

Who is in next to face the music? Kusal Mendis comes in at number 4, replacing de Silva.

Tim Southee to Dhananjaya de Silva. OUT! Caught behind! Southee has 2 in 2 overs! Now de Silva departs. Swinging away from the batsman, Dhananjaya looks to defend but gets squared up due to the late away movement. The ball goes off the outside edge towards the keeper where Watling takes a comfortable catch. Sri Lanka lose their second wicket. They are in deep trouble.

Tim Southee to Dhananjaya de Silva. Around off, defended watchfully.

Trent Boult to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.

Trent Boult to Dhananjaya de Silva. Full and outside off, Dhananjaya looks to drive but gets an inside edge towards fine leg.

Trent Boult to Dhananjaya de Silva. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Trent Boult to Dhananjaya de Silva. Landed round off, defended from the crease.

Trent Boult to Dhananjaya de Silva. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Full and outside off, Karunaratne pushes hard and gets a thick outside edge behind point for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva is the new batsman in.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. OUT! Gunathilaka departs! First breakthrough for New Zealand. Full length delivery on middle, Danushka Gunathilaka looks to flick but misses it and gets rapped on the pads. Southee appeals and the umpire raises his finger immediately. Gunathilaka chats with his partner but is asked to go back. Replays show that impact is in line and it was umpire's call in terms of height.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Full delivery on middle, Gunathilaka drives it to mid on.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Bowls length delivery on middle, the left-hander blocks it off his front foot.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Bowls down the leg side, Gunathilaka leaves it alone.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander lets it go.

Tim Southee to Danushka Gunathilaka. Good length delivery on leg, Gunathilaka tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. FOUR! First boundary for Karunaratne. Full outside off, Dimuth plays it through backward point for a delightful boundary.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander lets it go.

Trent Boult to Dimuth Karunaratne. Bowls full outside off, Karunaratne defends off the front foot.

Trent Boult to Danushka Gunathilaka. Length delivery on leg, the left-hander flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Trent Boult to Danushka Gunathilaka. Full on off, Gunathilaka drives it to point.

Trent Boult to Danushka Gunathilaka. Starts bowling down the leg side, Gunathilaka lets it go.

The national anthems are done and dusted. The players walk out to the middle. Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka will open for Sri Lanka. Trent Boult will take the new ball this morning.

PITCH REPORT - Scott Styris having a look at the track observes that it has a good green tinge of grass but not that green as Wellington is used to see. Reckons that in the past, Day 1 tends to be slow and then the pitch quickens up as the game progresses. However, because the county has been devoid of first-class cricket this season, the pitch should nip around from today itself, he reckons.

Sri Lankan skipper, Dinesh Chandimal too, wanted to bowl first as he opines that there is a bit of moisture on the wicket. On Sri Lanka as a team for this challenge, Chandimal points out that the last 2 series were played at home but also reminds us that the last time the Lankans played out of home, in the Caribbean, it were the seamers who got them the victory.

New Zealand captain, Kane Williamson, says that the reason to bowl is because there is a bit of grass on the wicket. Hopes that his side bowls in the right areas. On the jet lag of travelling from the Middle East, Kane looks worried but is confident that the team has recovered. Smiles on having the problem of plenty causing a selection headache and wants his bowlers to bowl with intensity.

TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Williamson flips it, Heads is the call by Chandimal but it is a TAIL. NEW ZEALAND ELECT TO BOWL FIRST.

Hello and welcome to the first day of the international home summer for New Zealand. They kick off with a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the first being in Wellington. The hosts have the upper hand because of the home advantage and the recent away series win against Pakistan in the UAE. On the other hand, Sri Lanka need something special to defeat this New Zealand side. Their recent home series against England was not that good and they need to improve in all departments, especially their batting. Akila Dananjaya's action has been declared illegal but don't think he will be missed too much on the seaming tracks in this country. The Black Caps had announced their playing XI yesterday itself and are going in with three pacers with only one specialist spinner in Ajaz Patel. Hopefully we get some sort of a contest.

A pitiable toil for the Lankans. They struggled for the whole of Day 2 and even though started Monday nicely, were never able to keep the pressure on consistently. Lahiru Kumara bowled his heart out, with a 4-fer while the others just went through the motions. We now have 14 overs left in the day. How many wickets can the Kiwis prize out? Can the Lankan openers see off this tricky period?

Now, about Tom Latham. His first Test century in more than a year. And boy, has he made it memorable. There might not have been any pressure but he did not play loose cricket. Attached a price tag to his wicket and tired the Lankans out. He alone faced 489 balls - which is more than 81 overs! LATHAM BECOMES THE SECOND KIWI OVERALL TO CARRY HIS BAT THROUGH AND THE FIRST TO DO SO IN NEW ZEALAND!

Nearly everyone contributed in this mammoth total. Williamson-Latham's 162-run stand is the best but there were as many as 4 50-plus partnerships. 8 out of the 10 stands crossed 20 and at least faced 15 balls each. Which means that pressure was not only from one end but from both ends.

A fabulous batting display by New Zealand. Leave aside Tom Latham. He was in his own world. But what about the rest? This is how a batting scorecard should look like.

Lahiru Kumara to Trent Boult. OUT! New Zealand get bowled out and Tom Latham has managed to carry his bat through. Boult backs away to the leg side and Kumara follows him, with an accurate bouncer. Trent tries to advertise for the Australian Open coming in January as he tries to swat a forehand shot but only manages to spoon it straight up in the air. Dickwella calls for it and takes it calmly. NEW ZEALAND GET A LEAD OF 296!

Lahiru Kumara to Trent Boult. FOUR! Full toss on middle, Boult wants to enjoy. Smashes it to a pulp over the bowler for a boundary.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, worked away through mid-wicket for a single.

Lahiru Kumara is back on. 31-2-122-3 so far.

Dilruwan Perera to Trent Boult. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. SIX! SPANKED! He is now trying to motor to get to 300. Full and around middle, Latham gets down and mows it over deep mid-wicket!

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Miles outside off, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. MISFIELD, FOUR! It is going pear-shaped for the Lankans now. Full and outside off, Latham jumps down the track and slogs it towards long on. Should have been just a single but Lahiru Kumara getting around to his left, slips and the ball goes through!

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track but is beaten in flight. The ball goes off the pads back to the bowler.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. 13 from the over!

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. 250 FOR LATHAM! He keeps knocking those runs and moving up the ladder in that list of highest individual run-getters for New Zealand. A short ball, Latham gets across and pulls it through square leg for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Trent Boult. Excellent running! Clumsy but effective. A short ball, around middle, Trent backs away and swats it over mid on. Takes two and then realizes that there is an opportunity for the third. Takes that on the throw but has to hurry. Tries to dive but loses balance and the bat. The ball does not hit the stumps, luckily for him. The stand moves to 10.

Kasun Rajitha to Trent Boult. FOUR! Cheeky! It is a short ball in line of the stumps and Boult is standing outside leg. What does he do? Arches back and ramps it over the slips to the third man fence!

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, worked through square leg for a single. The lead is now 270.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. A length ball, worked behind square leg for a well-run couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Trent Boult. Full and around off, well blocked out.

DRINKS BREAK. New Zealand continue to bat on as Trent Boult walks out.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. OUT! BOWLED! End of a frustrating stand for the Lankans. Full and outside off, Patel, who has been so calm till now, goes for a wild slog. Misses and the ball just kisses the off stump. A partnership worth 29 from 53 balls, of which Patel faced 21.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and pushes it wide of mid off for one.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Outside off, pushed to the off side for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. A full toss outside off, reverse paddled it towards third man for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. FOUR! SMOKED! First signs of aggression from Latham. Full on middle, Tom jumps down the track and smashes it over mid on for a boundary!

Kasun Rajitha to Ajaz Patel. NOT OUT. Terrific decision from umpire Michael Gough. A short ball around middle, Ajaz looked to sway away from the line. The ball hit something and then lobed in the air. An alert short leg went for the catch and then took it with a dive. The Lankans appealed but the umpire stayed firm. The visitors took the review but Hot Spot or Snickometer - neither detected anything. It has come off the shoulder. Also, good technique from Ajaz as he took his left glove off the handle. Even if it had flicked the glove, it would not have been given out.

A review for a catch! Sri Lanka are confident that they have bounced Ajaz Patel out.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Outside off, pushed towards the off side for a single. The lead moves to 260 while Latham moves to 240.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Works it through mid-wicket and gets a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, flicked straight to deep mid-wicket. Again, does not run. Hard to understand the fathoming of strike at this stage. A. The lead is already above 250. B. Ajaz has already played close to 20 balls, which means he has got an eye in. C. Patel has not look flustered. D. The bowling is not threatening. E. Latham is not trying to hit big or slog. Then why?

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and wide outside off, Latham reaches out and drives it to sweeper cover. Bizarre. Does not run.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, played towards mid-wicket.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Full and around middle, Patel looks to defend but misses and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track once more, looks to drive inside out but finds cover again.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and punches it towards cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around middle, punched back to the bowler.

Kasun Rajitha to Ajaz Patel. A bouncer to end the over, Patel ducks.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, cut behind point this time, for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, cut straight to point who is a bit deep.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. FOUR! MAJESTIC! Full and outside off, Latham leans into this one and drives it through the covers! THE LEAD NOW CROSSES 250.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, dabbed to third man.

Once again, the ball is under inspection. The umpires pass it through the 8-shaped gauge and then deem it to be fine.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Another LBW appeal. This looks closer. Turned down again. Inside edge was the reason on this occasion as Ajaz missed his flick.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. LBW appeal, turned down. Full and down the leg side, Patel misses his flick and is hit on the pads. Going down the leg side.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and pushes it away for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and defends.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Ajaz Patel. ALMOST A WICKET! A short ball, around middle, Patel looks to duck and then sway away. But the ball does not bounce and like Watling, Ajaz' bat is hanging like a periscope. But he realizes that and adjusts it well. Tries to dab it to third man with his back arched. Hits it off the face of the bat towards wide slip who cannot quite stop it cleanly. Concedes a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, a touch wide, left alone.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Fuller in length, driven straight to short extra cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. On a length outside off, punched straight to cover.

Kasun Rajitha is called back upon. 30-5-120-0 so far.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven towards long off for one. Clearly Latham is not looking to farm the strike. So far, Ajaz has shown appreciable technique for a number 10.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Full and down the leg side, neatly worked past leg slip, all along the ground, for a run. Gets off the mark on his 9th ball.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Landed outside off, goes straight on, Patel looks to punch it through the line but misses.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Ajaz Patel. Good ball to finish in terms of length but it is misdirected. Lakmal aims to go full and gets it full. But it is down the leg side. Patel gets across and then lets it go. That was heading to the fine leg boundary but Niroshan Dickwella threw himself to his right to stop it one-handed. Saved four byes.

Suranga Lakmal to Ajaz Patel. Yes, watching the ball carefully, then ducking but not taking his eyes off it. Even while ducking AP watches the bouncer go over his head.

Suranga Lakmal to Ajaz Patel. Another bouncer, Ajaz ducks and then sways away. Nice technique.

Suranga Lakmal to Ajaz Patel. A sharp bouncer, pitched outside leg, Patel sways away in time.

Suranga Lakmal to Ajaz Patel. Around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, pushed towards point for a single. The lead is now 240.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket.

Dilruwan Perera to Ajaz Patel. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched off the back foot for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.

Ajaz Patel comes in at number 10, replacing Wagner.

Suranga Lakmal to Neil Wagner. WICKET! Wagner has been bounced out! Given a taste of his own medicine. It was a barrage of short balls in this over and he eventually has been consumed by one. This is well-directed too. Right at the face. That too, from around the wicket. Meaning that Neil is cramped for room as the ball darts back in. He tries to fend it but takes his eyes off the ball. It goes off his left thumb, then the shoulder and eventually lobs to second slip. There is no first slip. Simple catch for Dhananjaya de Silva who takes it and then, for some reason, has a shy at the striker's end. Probably, just in case, it was called a no ball. The innings is heading to a quick close now.

Suranga Lakmal to Neil Wagner. A bouncer, around middle and off, NW ducks.

Suranga Lakmal to Neil Wagner. There comes the fuller ball but it is down leg. Neil is prepared for it and looks to flick but misses out.

Suranga Lakmal to Neil Wagner. Around off, on the shorter side again, watchfully played out.

Suranga Lakmal to Neil Wagner. Another bouncer, ducked under again.

Suranga Lakmal to Neil Wagner. A bouncer to greet the new man, Wagner ducks.

Neil Wagner walks in at number 9, replacing Southee.

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. OUT! Sri Lanka have picked up their 7th wicket in the form of a run out! Great piece of fielding and who better than the captain to lead from the front? Full and outside off, Southee punched it towards cover and set off for a quick single. It was not a bad call at all to be honest. He saw that Chandimal was at wide mid off and had to cover some distance, pick up the ball and then aim at the stumps at the bowler's end with only one stick to aim. How many times out of 10 does that happen these days? Probably 1. Unfortunately for Southee, this was that 1 time. Chandimal charged in from wide mid off, swooped onto the ball and then released it quickly. The key was that he went on the bounce and did not attempt a full throw. Hit the stumps and it was referred upstairs. Replays show that Southee was more than a yard short.

Direct hit! Is Southee gone?

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. Around middle and leg, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. Goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single. The stand is now worth 20 from 33 balls.

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. Full and around off, defended back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, defended watchfully.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. FOUR! MAGNIFICENT! Full on middle, Latham drives it down the ground for a boundary!

Suranga Lakmal to bowl from the other end.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched off the back foot for another single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for one.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tim Southee. Full on middle, driven towards long on for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The ball strikes the batsman on his boot. Good ball by the bowler.

Welcome back for the final session of the day. 32 overs left. How many will Sri Lanka bowl out of those? How many will they face? Meanwhile, Latham and Southee are quietly sitting out on the fence near the boundary, soaking in the heat. Now, they proceed further. Here comes Dilruwan to start the final session.

... DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

It is all about Tom Latham for both sides. Sri Lanka are waiting as to when will he get out and the declaration come while the Kiwis would be hoping that he keeps scoring more and more and reaches that elusive triple. Join us back at 4 pm local (0300 GMT).

Well, guess that the wall has become too high to be scaled for the Lankans. This 106-run session has effectively taken the game out of their hands. A better session for them though, as they managed to prize out 3 wickets but those were more because of batsmen looking to score big.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, tucked wide of mid on for a run. TEA ON DAY 3, NEW ZEALAND LEAD BY 227!

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Just outside off, solidly defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, left alone.

Suranga Lakmal to Tim Southee. A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Suranga Lakmal to Tim Southee. NO BALL! Not for overstepping. Not for height. But because three fielders were behind square on the leg side. Good observation by the umpire but still he spotted it late. Southee defended it towards mid on and after that the square leg umpire saw that there was an extra man behind square leg.

Suranga Lakmal to Tim Southee. A short ball outside off, Southee looks to pull but gets a bottom edge past the stumps. Good diving stop by Dickwella to his left.

Suranga Lakmal to Tim Southee. Exposes all his three stumps and pushes it towards mid off.

Lahiru Kumara to Tim Southee. Works it through fine leg for one.

Lahiru Kumara to Tim Southee. A wayward bouncer, Southee ducks.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full on middle, defended back to the bowler.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Lahiru Kumara to Tim Southee. Outside off, pushed towards cover for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to bowl now. 30-2-119-3 so far.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Another leave outside off.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. FOUR! 500 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND! How many more? A short ball, Latham swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary!

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Into the bowlers. Tim Southee comes out to bat. Suranga Lakmal comes on as well. 26-5-76-0 so far.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! No half century for de Grandhomme. A length ball outside off, Colin smashes the bones out of this one through mid-wicket. However, he cannot clear the field and finds Kasun Rajitha at the boundary.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Comes down the track, like the last ball and pushes it towards long on for one more.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Around off, solidly defended.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Now de Grandhomme comes down the track and pushes it towards long on for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and eases it through the covers for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Around off, worked towards mid-wicket.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Tom Latham. Flicked away again, for one more.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Colin de Grandhomme. Another ball on leg stump, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and straight, watchfully defended.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Tom Latham. Full toss outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Danushka Gunathilaka is back on. 1-1-0-0. Dilruwan was supposed to bowl but at the last moment, Chandimal changed his mind.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, played straight to short mid-wicket.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, tucked through mid-wicket for a brace.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Full on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Around middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full on middle, pushed towards long on for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. On middle and leg, flicked away for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Full on middle, driven straight back to the bowler.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. SIX! SMASH! A short ball outside off, de Grandhomme swivels and pulls it over mid-wicket for a biggie! THE LEAD CROSSES 200!

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has been struck on the pads as he looked to play that off the front foot. The batsmen have run through for a single. The umpire signals a leg bye.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Full again, driven back to the bowler once more.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and around off, driven back to the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, dabbed down to third man for a brace.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Down the leg side, flicked away again for a couple.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. MAIDEN TEST 200 FOR TOM LATHAM! Well played. Epitome of concentration has this innings been. Gets there with a gentle flick through mid-wicket for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Pitched outside leg, Latham looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Latham on 199...

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Dropped short again, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. ANOTHER TOP EDGE, ANOTHER SIX! A short ball, wide outside off, de Grandhomme looks to pull but gets a massive top edge, comfortably sailing over fine leg again!

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. SIX! Century for Rajitha! A short ball, around off, de Grandhomme looks to pull but has to fetch the ball from way outside off. Gets a top edge and fine leg is interested. But the ball sails over. The lead is now 184 and the stand is worth 40 from 56 balls.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Moves to 199. Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full on middle, pushed towards long on for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. On middle and leg, flicked towards mid-wicket.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Full on middle, driven back towards the bowler once more.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, punched off the back foot to the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva into the attack. 11-0-38-1 so far.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and well outside off, left alone.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Full on middle, eased wide of mid on for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. A bouncer down the leg side, easily ducked under.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single to move to 197...

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. IS THAT A NICK? Nope. Full and outside off, Latham looks to drive but misses. The Lankans get excited but then bail out of the appeal. The noise was of the bat hitting the ground.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track, takes it on the full and flicks it towards square leg for a quick run. Moves to 196...

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. Driven through mid on by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, punched straight to cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. That stayed low. New Zealand will like that as they will be bowling next. Full and outside off, de Grandhomme gets his bat down to defend just in time as the ball shoots low.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and just around off, CdG covers the line and blocks solidly.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Driven through the covers by the batsman.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Landed outside off, Colin shoulders arms.

Kasun Rajitha to Colin de Grandhomme. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. They manage to come back for the second.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. Landed outside off, well defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and outside off, watchfully blocked out.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. On middle and leg, worked wide of mid on for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Fine shot. Down the leg side, de Grandhomme goes back and just flicks it behind square leg! The man at 45 and the one at deep mid-wicket are the only ones on the leg side and neither can get there!

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, punched wide of mid off for a quick single. Direct hit might have found Latham wanting...

DRINKS BREAK.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, helped through mid-wicket for a run. The lead is now 160.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, left alone.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Another bouncer, ducked under again.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. A wild bouncer, down the leg side, Colin ducks again. The bat and gloves are well down.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. A bouncer around off, de Grandhomme ducks.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. Around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. A bouncer on middle, de Grandhomme ducks.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. Played to the point region by the batsman.

Lahiru Kumara to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! LOVELY! Full on middle, de Grandhomme drives it straight down the ground for a boundary!

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Almost another wicket! Sharp chance. Outside off, de Grandhomme flashes hard for the cut but gets a thick outside edge. Two slips are waiting but Dimuth Karunaratne at second slip is late to react and the ball goes through.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full on middle, flicked straight to mid-wicket.

Colin de Grandhomme walks in at number 7, replacing Watling.

Lahiru Kumara to BJ Watling. OUT! Caught behind off the periscope! Crazy-looking dismissal. A short ball, outside off, Watling looks to duck but the bat suddenly turns. It is hanging in the air like a periscope and unfortunately for Watling, the ball catches the back of the bat. Lobs straight up in the air and Dickwella has the easiest of opportunities. Bang bang then for Sri Lanka.

Lahiru Kumara to BJ Watling. Bouncer! The batsman does well to evade it.

Lahiru Kumara to BJ Watling. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Lahiru Kumara to BJ Watling. Outside off, let through.

Lahiru Kumara to BJ Watling. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Lahiru Kumara to BJ Watling. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and just outside off, watchfully blocked out.

Bradley Watling walks in at number 6, replacing Nicholls.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. OUT! Caught! Ho ho ho! What has happened? A wicket has fallen. Nothing special on the delivery. Tossed up around off, Nicholls comes down the track and looks to go downtown. But is not quite to the pitch of the ball. The bat turns in his hand and the cherry hits the inner half of his bat. Lobs in the air towards long on where Kasun Rajitha makes no mistake. Second batsman dismissed exactly for 50 in this innings after Ross Taylor. The Kiwis are ahead by 144.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, eased through mid off for a quick run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and down the leg side, flicked straight to short fine leg.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Gets right behind this one to block again.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Landed outside off, angling away, left alone.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Fuller in length, let through.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, left alone.

Lahiru Kumara returns. 26-1-110-2 so far.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, forced off the back foot.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full but down the leg side, clipped fine for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. FOUR! Lovely shot. Floated on middle, Latham dances down the track and flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary!

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. A new highest score for Tom Latham! Goes past his unbeaten 177 against Bangladesh at this very same venue. On middle and leg, helped through square leg for a couple.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Would have been one of those rarest occasions when Sri Lanka bowled 2 consecutive maidens in this Test. But... Latham averts that. Flicks it through square leg for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Beaten. A rare occasion. Full and around off, going on with the arm, Latham looks to play inside the line and misses.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around middle, solidly defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Another back foot defense to end the over.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, left alone.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Comes forward this time to defend.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Around off, solidly blocked out.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. 8TH TEST FIFTY! The consistent show goes on. Full and outside off, Nicholls pushes it towards mid off, sees the fielder a bit lazy and takes him on for a quick single.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Really nice shot. Full on middle, Nicholls comes down the track and hits it past the bowler down the ground. Mid on has no chance. The 100-RUN STAND IS UP!

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full on middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Landed outside off, coming in, Nicholls shoulders arms.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, steered behind point for another brace.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, played through point for a couple.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal is back on. 23-4-68-0 so far.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed towards mid off for a quick single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track this time and pushes it back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full on middle and leg, blocked defensively.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around middle, pushed back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Tossed up outside leg, Latham comes forward to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

Welcome back for the afternoon session. We are ready for the 'nothing happening at the moment' game to resume. Everyone was going through the motions in the morning and sadly, apart from some steep bounce, this strip is nothing short of a road. Out come the players. Dilruwan Perera to start off proceedings to Tom Latham.

... DAY 3, SESSION 2 ...

What's after Lunch? More of the grinding? Or some attacking shots? With so much time left, the Kiwis might just look to play more milking cricket. The Lankans need an inspiration and then someone to make use of that inspiration. Dimuth Karunaratne provided a spark this morning, taking a brilliant catch - but sadly after that, the visitors have not been able to land the ball consistently in the right areas. Join us back at 1.40 pm local (0040 GMT).

Yawn. That seemed a never-ending session. 30 overs bowled, 92 runs scored after a wicket fell on the 4th ball of the morning. Sri Lanka have bowled better today but luck has not been on their side. For New Zealand, Tom Latham has looked solid as ever while Henry Nicholls, not fully comfortable but has managed to contribute in a 91-run stand.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, defended towards cover. LUNCH ON DAY 3, NEW ZEALAND LEAD BY 121!!!

Danushka Gunathilaka to Henry Nicholls. On middle and leg, defended in front of short leg.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Henry Nicholls. Full again, well defended.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, punched towards mid on.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Danushka Gunathilaka to Henry Nicholls. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Danushka Gunathilaka to bowl what will now be the final over before Lunch.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Outside off, driven towards mid off. Well, the clock has not ticked past 1 pm local, so we shall have one more over.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Comes down the track and eases it to long on for one more.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full on middle, driven down to long on for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Around off, driven back to the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Pushes this through mid off for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Full and around off, solidly blocked towards point.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. 400 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND! Lead by 118. Full on middle, Nicholls leans and works it through square leg to bring up the score.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Floated around off, eased down to long off for another single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, driven back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Floated around off, watchfully pushed back.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, punched towards mid on for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully pushed away.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Tossed up outside off, driven straight to cover.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and around middle, helped through square leg for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Comes forward and defends.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Short and outside off, cit straight to point.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Excellent running. Full and down the leg side, gently paddled through fine leg for three runs.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around middle, well blocked out.

Change of ends for Dilruwan Perera. 21-1-83-0 so far.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Good sportsmanship. Full on middle, Nicholls drives it straight back. The bowler is unable to stop it and it hits the bat of the non-striker. Rolls down the ground but the batsmen do not run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Eases this through mid on for one more.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, pushed through the covers for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva replaces Dilruwan Perera. 8-0-30-1 so far.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! HANDSOME! Ultimate insult to a fast bowler. Full and around off, Nicholls drives it straight back to where it came from. Rajitha tries sticking out his right leg to stop but ends up slipping. No obstruction for the ball.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump again.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, left alone.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, left alone.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. On a length outside off, angling away, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. This is a similar ball, but defended on the leg side.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around middle, watchfully pushed back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and around middle, pushed past the bowler for one.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Good running. Full on middle, Latham comes down the track and milks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. On middle and off, watchfully blocked out.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Around off, defended from the crease.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Another outside edge. There is still some uncertainty about Henry Nicholls. Does not look settled in the middle. Around leg, Henry looks to defend but the ball moves away, takes the outside edge and goes to point. A single taken.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and around off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Throat-clearing shout for caught down the leg side. No, says the umpire. The Lankans do not even bother discussing about the review, let alone take it. Full and down the leg side, Nicholls missed his flick and a noise was generated before Dickwella could collect. What was it? Ball hitting the pad, as per the Hot Spot.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, pushed to the off side.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Action replay of the previous delivery.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. A tad fuller, honing in on the stumps, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. On middle and off, solidly blocked out.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, eased through the covers for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Pushes this past the bowler, through mid off for a singel.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, punched off the back foot, but straight to cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Around off, driven back to the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Good use of his feet. Tossed up slightly, Nicholls comes down the track and lofts it over the bowler for a boundary!

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and just outside off, watchfully pushed back.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, skewed drive, off the outside edge, past cover for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Landed outside off, let through.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. That is a beauty. Pitched outside leg, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball seams away and beats the outside edge.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Around off, solidly defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, Nicholls looks to defend but gets an outside edge. Does not quite carry to gully.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around off, defended from the crease.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, driven through mid off for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and around off, pushed towards mid off.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Pushes this through point for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. FOUR! GLORIOUS! Full and outside off, Latham leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. 150 UP FOR TOM LATHAM! He marches on. His second score of 150 or more in Test cricket. His highest of 177 not out also came at this very venue. Landed outside off, steered through point for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha into the attack now. 21-5-78-0 so far.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. This time he quietly defends like a good boy.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. LUCKY ESCAPE! Almost a brain explosion from Nicholls. Flighted outside off, Henry jumps down the track and looks to go big. Is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and skews his attempted shot very badly. It lobs over backward point though and the batsmen take a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around off, driven through mid off for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. A touch outside off, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, Latham forces this behind the stumps towards backward point.

DRINKS BREAK.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. EDGED, FOUR! Why isn't there a second slip? Funky field placement has cost Dinesh Chandimal a wicket. He has a slip and a gully and the ball has gone right between the two. On a length around middle, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball moves away and flies. Second slip would have gobbled it up. A boundary to third man.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, shouldered arms to.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. A length ball around off, stands up, generates steep bounce, Nicholls looks to defend but has to adjust to the high raise. Does well in the end.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, tucked with a bit of an inside edge just beside the stumps on the leg side. A quick single taken.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Angled across the off stump, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and around off, solidly defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. FOUR! Beautiful use of the feet. Full on middle, Latham comes down the track and wrists it over mid-wicket for a boundary!

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Similar ball, similar shot, same result.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, pushed to the off side for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. EDGED, FOUR! A rare false shot from Latham. Around middle, Latham looks to punch this through the off side but the ball moves away, takes the outside edge and flies past gully to the third man fence!

This was coming. The Lankans have been complaining about this second new ball right from the start of play and eventually, the umpires have agreed that it has gone out of shape. Out comes the fourth umpire with a box of balls.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, Latham looks to cut but gets a bottom edge.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Full and wide outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Good stop. Might have created a run out opportunity. Short and outside off, Nicholls punches it through the covers and sets off for a single. Danushka Gunathilaka dives to his right and had he collected it cleanly, he could have had both batsmen shaking hands in the middle. However, he parries it away to point and the batsmen cross over.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The arm ball, Nicholls looks to defend but misses as the ball darts past the inside edge and pings the pad. An LBW appeal goes up but that was missing the leg stump.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, Latham comes down the track and drives it wide of mid off for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full again, watchfully pushed out.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around off, solidly pushed back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. On a length around off, coming in, Henry looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, coming in with the angle, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Around middle, defended in front of short leg.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The arm ball again, skids on, HN looks to defend but the ball squirts off the inside edge. Lands just short of short leg.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Excellent ball. The arm one again, drifting in, Henry looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Tosses this one up now, outside off, driven straight to cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. The arm ball, around middle, Nicholls goes back and punches it towards cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Henry Nicholls. Full and just outside off, solidly defended.

Dilruwan Perera into the attack early. 13-0-59-0 so far. The ball is a bit more hard now, so he might get a bit more bounce.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Well delivered, well avoided. A short ball, outside off, coming in with the angle, face-high, Latham sways away at the right time.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Just around off, well blocked out.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. FOUR! GORGEOUS! Half volley outside off, Latham leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, shouldered arms to.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, solidly defended back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for another brace.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! FLAMBOYANT! Full and outside off, Nicholls just eases into this one down the ground. Past the non-striker. Past mid off. Past the fence. Moves to 12 from 14 balls. The stand is worth 20. NEW ZEALAND HAVE QUICKLY MOVED TO 50 IN TERMS OF THE LEAD.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Dropped short, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Vish-TheSmartGuy - Is it only me or someone else also feels this? Every morning, I see at least one ambulance and one sports bike travelling via the road around the stadium. @Vish-TheSmartGuy - Well, nice to see you noticing other things along with the cricketing action as well. Must be a busy road then...

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone again.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, played uppishly behind point for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, coming in with the angle.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and just around off, solidly defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Another leave outside off.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, left alone.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! STUPENDOUS! A short ball, around middle and leg, Nicholls pulls it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary!

Trouble. This second new ball is just 9 overs old but already we have problems. Angelo Mathews hands it to Rod Tucker who passes it through the 8-shaped gauge. Seems to be happy and play continues...

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. A short ball, at head height, Latham sways away from the line.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and just around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. Around leg stump, Nicholls looks to tuck it away but misses and is hit on the pads.

Suranga Lakmal to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Another lovely shot. Full and outside off, Latham leans into this one and drives it between mid off and cover. Angelo Mathews gives it a good chase from mid off, gets to the ball, dives and then pulls it back in. Three runs taken.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, solidly defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. A bouncer now, Nicholls ducks.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Finally a cover drive gets some runs. This is in the gap between cover and mid off but the fielder does well to pull the ball back in. Three runs taken.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls is underway. Full on middle, Henry flicks it through mid-wicket and gets three runs.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, another lovely cover drive but this one finds the fielder as well.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, a touch wide, shouldered arms to.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off on a good length, solidly blocked out.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, left alone.

Suranga Lakmal to bowl from the other end.

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. BOTTOM EDGE, NEARLY ROLLS BACK ONTO THE STUMPS! Oh my my... we could have had a double-wicket over. On a length outside off, Nicholls looks to defend but the ball hits the toe end of his bat and rolls back. He tries to kick it away but is too late. Luckily for him, it just passes the off stump by a whisker! Phew!

Lahiru Kumara to Henry Nicholls. Full and wide outside off, left alone.

Henry Nicholls walks in pretty early, at number 5, replacing Taylor. This is still the first over of the day.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. OUT! Fabulous catch! Wow. Sri Lanka could not have asked for a better beginning. Outstanding reflexes from Karunaratne. A bit of luck involved but he deserves that. Full and around middle, Taylor flicks it and flicks it pretty powerfully. Normally, people at short leg duck for cover. But not this bloke. Dimuth Karunaratne has the presence of mind to have his hands in the line of the ball coming at him. Because it is coming so fast, he cannot see it but it at least hits him. Goes off his chest and he uses his presence of mind again to realize that the ball has not dropped down. Realizes that the ball is up in the air and reacts quickly to take it with his right hand. Simply outstanding. So Taylor departs on the very second ball he faces this morning.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, played uppishly through point for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Around middle and leg, gently defended to the leg side.

Time for some action then. The players are out in the middle. Lahiru Kumara will start off proceedings for the day. Tom Latham to face.

How will the Lankan bowlers be feeling? Russel Arnold tries to get into their mindset by having a chat with their bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake. Ratnayake says that the Lankans should have got at least 5 wickets yesterday but the execution was not correct. Hopes to rectify those mistakes today. Adds further that the team sometimes bowled in the wrong areas and the Kiwis pounced. Also feels that the strong wind was a cause of obstruction for the Lankans. And feels for the fact that the fast bowlers are playing after a long time for the visitors. But having said all of this, does not want to make it as an excuse.

PITCH REPORT - Scott Styris is alongside Mark Richardson doing the pitch report. The latter says that it still looks a very good track for batting. The colour has grown brown and the life seems to have gone out of the pitch. Little bit of grass is around, he says but for how long will it be able to hold the surface together, he is not sure. Does not see too many cracks around but does observe some starting to develop.

Tom Latham is having a chat with Mark Richardson. The current opener says that it feels pleasant to have got past the century line. Adds that being involved in partnerships was the key to bat deep. Feels that he has been hitting the ball pretty well and he just believed in himself, working on little areas here and there. On the runs not coming in the previous knocks in spite of him being in good touch, Latham admits that he was getting frustrated but he just kept believing that trusting doing the regular things would eventually fetch him runs. On his love affair with this ground, Tom says that the pitch over here is very good for batting and he enjoys playing over here. On the adjustment to the conditions from those in the UAE, Latham says that the first 20-30 minutes are the key and one can then play his shots.

WEATHER - Slightly cloudy conditions today with plenty of breeze around. That should help the bowlers a bit. We haven't seen much cloud in the last two days.

Third day. Moving day. That is what it is called. Does it apply in this case? Well, this Test match has already come a long way, isn't it? With the Kiwis already into the lead, it is all about making hay when the sun shines. Bat the whole day and perhaps bat the visitors out of this Test. Hello and a warm welcome to the third day of the opening Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...

Some stretching exercises going on for the Lankans. A tiring day. Could be more for them on Monday. Only Dhananjaya de Silva and Lahiru Kumara got a wicket apiece but everyone struggled. Given the way things are heading, expect the Kiwis to bat the whole of Day 3 as well. Will a new week bring some luck for the visiting side? Or will the home side just continue to pummel them? The run rate is a healthy 3.7. Join us at 11 am local on Monday, December 17, 2018 (2200 GMT, previous night). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

The visitors might have expected things or fortunes to change after the Williamson wicket but what they have got is another partnership - this one reading 90 as of now - between Taylor and Latham. Tom Latham has been the centre of all three partnerships and all batsmen have played around him. He has consumed 256 balls - which means around 43 overs while the others have scored quickly.

To have any impact on the match, Sri Lanka needed some quick runs early on in the match. That did not happen. Then they required quick wickets. Those did not come either. Latham and Raval almost saw off the period till Lunch, before the latter threw it away and then Williamson pushed Sri Lanka to the brink of frustration with a 162-run stand with Latham.

Satisfying day for New Zealand. Satisfying day for Latham. An ideal start for the team and then an ideal knock from the opener, batting for nearly the entire day.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Very straight, Taylor flicks it towards mid-wicket. That will be it. STUMPS ON DAY 2, NEW ZEALAND LEAD BY 29!

Final ball...

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Excellent yorker, outside off, dug out towards point.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. On middle and leg, flicked straight to mid-wicket.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Half century for Taylor now. His 30th in Test cricket, 3rd against Sri Lanka. Gets there with a gentle flick through mid-wicket for couple.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, coming in with the angle, helped through mid-wicket for a single. Will that be it for Latham tonight?

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, left alone.

2 minutes left on the clock. 2 overs left. Looks like we will fall an over short. This also means that Neil Wagner won't have to come out to bat tonight. Suranga Lakmal to bowl that final over. 17-2-57-0 so far.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. One more leave outside off.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and straight, Latham looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads, with the ball rolling back to the bowler.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. A massive LBW shout but not even a thought about the review. Full and outside off, Taylor walks a long way across and looks to flick but misses. Is hit on the pads and Kumara appeals. Not the worst shout at all. Was it missing leg? Was it height? The ball goes to fine leg and the batsmen take a single. Umpire Tucker cunningly waits to see if Chandimal is interested in the review and then signals a leg bye. Here comes Hawk Eye... MISSING LEG. Good call not to review.

6 minutes left, 3 overs pending...

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched towards cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. FOUR! FANTASTIC! Full and outside off, Latham leans into this one and drives it wide of mid off for a boundary!

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. FOUR! Another freebie. A half volley on middle, Latham easily flicks it through mid-wicket for a boundary!

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. A loosener to start. Full and outside off, Latham lets it go. No pace, no movement, just a release from the hand.

Kasun Rajitha to share the second new ball with Kumara. 20-5-70-0 so far.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Landed outside off, solidly blocked again.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Full and just outside off, watchfully defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Around off, watchfully defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Bad delivery. A full toss outside off, Taylor reaches out and drives it through the covers for a boundary! Within a hit of a half century now...

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Outside off, Rosco walks into the shot and pushes it towards cover.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, pushed through point for a couple.

The fourth umpire strolls out onto the ground with the new ball. And SRI LANKA TAKE IT IMMEDIATELY. 5 overs left, 14 minutes to go. What impact can it or they create? Here's Lahiru Kumara. 18-1-72-1 so far.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, left alone.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Another long hop, cut away for a run to point.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Comes down the track and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

The umpires get together for a chat. Apparently they are not happy with the delay the Lankan bowlers are taking for the completion of overs.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, driven through mid off for one. Taylor moves to 40 now.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a run. Moves to 110.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full again, blocked resolutely.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and straight, dead-batted back to the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. On middle and leg, worked through square leg for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, Taylor pushes it back to the bowler who dives to his right to stop the ball.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Flicks it away for a run to retain the strike.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and eases it towards long on for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Full and straight, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short and outside off, punched through the covers to take NEW ZEALAND INTO THE LEAD with that single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, blocked towards mid-wicket.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Fuller in length, well blocked out.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully defended.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. On middle, pushed towards the bowler.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Oohhh... full and outside off, Taylor looks to defend but misses as the ball spins back in. Beats the outside edge and is hit on the back pad. An LBW appeal ensues but dies down pretty quickly. Impact was outside off.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Tossed up slightly, pushed through the covers for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. On middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched off the back foot through the covers for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Outside off, spinning in, dabbed past slip towards third man for a couple.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Works it towards mid-wicket.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully blocked out.

Dhananjaya de Silva is back on.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. FOUR! Great shot. Full and outside off, Latham leans and drives it through the covers for a boundary!

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, played fine for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dilruwan Perera to bowl now.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. A bouncer around off, Tom ducks.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. CENTURY FOR LATHAM! Finally he gets it. His 7th in Tests. Raises the 50-run stand as well. Outside off, Latham pushes it towards cover and sets off for a quick single. The fielder fumbles, then concedes an overthrow and Latham comes back for the second! Takes his helmet off and celebrates. What a knock.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, flicked fine for a single.

Kasun Rajitha is back on. 19-5-67-0 so far.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. A short ball, pulled through square leg for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. On middle and off, driven through the covers for a couple.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. A length ball pitched outside leg, Latham misses his tuck and is hit on the pads. A worthless LBW appeal, turned down.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. On a length around middle, punched back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Around off, on a length, RT hops and defends towards mid on.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Landed outside off, Rosco looks to run it down to third man but the Lankans have that area covered. A gully in place.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Length ball wide outside off, Taylor reaches out and slashes hard but misses.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. A bouncer around leg stump, way too high, Latham ducks.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Bad bowling. Short ball and down the leg side. Buffet provided. Taylor pulls it behind square leg for a boundary!

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, Taylor gets across and then lets it through.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. No run.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, flicked away for a couple.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, driven towards mid off.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Around off, pushed to the off side.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, pushed towards mid on.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. EDGED, DROPPED! But a tough chance. Full and wide outside off, Taylor reaches out to drive but the lack of feet movement induces an outside edge. It flies overhead and Kusal Mendis at first slip leaps - sticks out his palms but palms it towards third man. Two runs taken.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Length ball outside off, a slash and a miss.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. A short ball, Taylor looks to pull but almost gives a catch to short leg! Just eludes him and finds square leg, but on the bounce.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.

Lahiru Kumara gets a change of ends. 15-1-59-1 so far.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, driven past the bowler for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Full and just outside off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Ross Taylor. On a good length around off, solidly defended.

DRINKS BREAK. 19 overs left in the day. That is the only thing the Lankans can look forward to. They look flat and even after breaking the Latham-Taylor stand, there does not seem to be any spark. Doubt whether we will get all the overs in today but irrespective of how many get bowled, the Kiwis look like they will be around 50 ahead by Stumps. Meanwhile, Suranga Lakmal has come back to bowl as well. 14-1-54-0 so far.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Latham sweeps it behind square leg and gets a boundary! Moves to 92 with his 8th four. The stand is worth 31 now, from 39 deliveries.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Easily taken. Rosco pushes it towards mid on, sees that Dhananjaya de Silva is taking it easy, calls for a quick single and then makes it easily.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Down the leg side, turning a long way, Taylor lets it pass.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, eased down to deepish mid on for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed towards cover.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. A short ball outside off, punched down to long on for a single. Taylor moves to 20 from just 24 balls.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. 10 from that over!

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. Around off, once again Rosco attempts that shot but cannot quite get it away. However, he manages to push it towards cover and cross over.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. FOUR! On a length outside off, cutting in, Taylor opens the face of the bat and looks to run it down but the ball goes off the toe end of the bat past gully, to the third man fence. The deficit is now down to 38 and the stand is worth 23 from just 31 balls.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Lahiru Kumara to Ross Taylor. FOUR! FABULOUS! Full and wide outside off, Taylor leans and drives it through cover-point for a boundary!

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and down the leg side, flicked away for a single. Any Aussie supporter out there? Pray for Latham. He is on Australia's unlucky number - 87.

Lahiru Kumara returns. 14-1-49-1 so far.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for one more.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full on middle, driven straight to mid on.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Outside off, punched towards the bowler.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Neatly done. Full on middle, Taylor gets down and paddles it very fine. Backward square leg can only retrieve it from the fence. The deficit is now 49.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Comes down the track but is beaten in the flight. Looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads towards short third man.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Around off, watchfully kept out.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. Around off, on a length, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. TOP EDGE, SAFE! Well, one of those you-blink-and-you-miss moments for Sri Lanka. A short ball, around middle, Latham looks to pull but the bounce gets big on him. Takes the top edge and goes to deep mid-wicket. The fielder comes running in but cannot get there. A single taken.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through mid on for a quick single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Ohhh... nearly a chance. Full on middle, Taylor gets across and flicks it uppishly. Just eludes short leg and the batsmen cross over.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Around off, punched back to Dhananjaya.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully pushed back to the bowler.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. Comes forward and watchfully keeps it out.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. Full again, well blocked out.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. On a length around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full and around middle, almost skids through, Taylor looks to defend but is squared up. The ball goes off the outside edge towards point and he gets off the mark with a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Ross Taylor. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Ross Taylor comes in at number 4, replacing his skipper.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Kane Williamson. OUT! Stop the press. Williamson is gone. A wicket has fallen! Again, like the first wicket, totally against the run of play. A bad ball, full and outside leg, Williamson decides that he needs to play a sweep. Plays it well but on one of those rare, rare, rare, rare, rare moments of glory for Sri Lanka today, a fielder is placed right in the area where Williamson plays a shot. Straight to Kasun Rajitha at backward square leg. Just 9 short of a century, was the Kiwi skipper. End of a mammoth 162-run stand.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Punches it through the covers for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. A touch short outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Around middle and leg, helped around the corner towards long leg for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Outside off, flayed through point for one.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. A bouncer now, Latham ducks.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Outside off, a touch too wide, punched behind point for a single. Williamson moves to 90.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, solidly defended. Oh wait... wait... wait... The strike rate is below 100!

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Around middle and leg, helped through square leg.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Kane Williamson. Around middle, Kane goes back and works it through the leg side for a run.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Tossed up slightly, pushed through the cover for a single.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Full and around off, well blocked out.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, this is watchfully pushed back.

Dhananjaya de Silva to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off again, punched past mid off for a brace. 10 from the over.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. FOUR! This is admonished from his presence. What a way to bring up the 150-RUN STAND. Short again, outside off, this time Williamson decides to explore the on side. Sits back and pulls it in a flash through mid-wicket. Consecutive boundaries.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Wow. Christmas gift to a man well set. A really bad loosener. Short and wide outside off, Williamson gets on top of the bounce, hops and punches it through the covers for a boundary. The deficit is now 76 and Kane moves to 82 with his 9th boundary.

Kasun Rajitha is back on. 15-4-49-0 so far.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Goes for a similar shot but this time the ball goes off the toe end of the bat past the bowler, which means KW has that extra time to take the single. Which he does.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Lands this around off, angling it away from around the wicket, Kane watches it closely and then lets it go.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Punches this off the back foot for a run down the ground.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, coming in slightly, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. A length ball outside off, Williamson stays low and punches it through point for a single. 200 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND. Just 82 adrift now.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and just outside off, pushed down the ground for nothing.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. On a length outside off, Kane rises with the bounce and taps it towards point. A single taken. The stand is now worth 140.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Fuller in length, pushed towards mid on.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Around off, defended to the off side.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, pushed towards cover-point for a quick single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. On a good length outside off, defended from the crease.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Unlucky. On middle, Williamson punches it straight back down the ground. Lakmal stretches his right leg but cannot touch the ball. The batsmen set off for the single but then the ball hits the stumps at the other end and deflects towards mid-wicket and the skipper sends Latham back.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, Tom looks to drive but the ball goes off the toe end of the bat, wide of mid off and the batsmen take a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Half volley outside off, another cracking cover drive but straight to the fielder once again.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, coming in with the angle, left alone.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Lovely shot, sweet timing. But for nothing. Full and outside off, Latham leans and drives but straight to short extra cover.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, pushed straight to mid off.

A bit of a delay. Not sure why. The batsmen are taking an unscheduled Drinks break and the umpires are calmly standing over there but not saying anything. Strange. Meanwhile, here comes Suranga Lakmal. 12-1-50-0 so far.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched wide of mid off for a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Fractionally short outside off, a bit wide, Tom throws his bat at that but misses. No feet movement.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Outside off, steered behind point for a couple.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, played straight to point.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Nicely bowled, a short ball, around middle, Latham ducks and then sways.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. On a length around off, Williamson tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. Takes the first run quickly, thinks about the second but Latham quickly puts his hand up as the fielder came charging in quickly. The deficit is now 89.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Similar ball, no. My colleague Akash tells me it was wider. Left alone again.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, let through to the keeper.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. FOUR! Lovely timing. Full on middle, Latham flicks it through mid-wicket and gets a boundary! No stopping that. Moves to 70 and the stand is worth 133 now.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to deepish cover.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, tucked through mid-wicket for a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. In fact, a leg bye has been signalled.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Bouncer! The batsman ducks in time to let that one go over him.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Outside off, a touch short, Williamson looks to cut but the ball stays low and beats him.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, Latham looks to drive but the ball sticks off the surface. He cannot control his shot and the ball balloons in the air... but mid off cannot get to it. A run taken.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. On a good length, outside off, watchfully defended.

Kasun Rajitha to bowl from the other end.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, flicked away for a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Played to the point region by the batsman. They manage to come back for the second.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. A bouncer around middle, Latham ducks.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Around middle, Latham straightaway starts ticking the scoreboard with a single to the leg side.

Welcome back for the final session. A long one awaits us. 37 overs scheduled. The players are back out in the middle. Lahiru Kumara to start the proceedings after Tea. Latham to face.

... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...

Bad bowling or a flat pitch? Perhaps both. There is nothing in the track and the Lankans have not been able to even string successive maiden overs to apply any sort of pressure. 37 overs are left in the day and the Kiwis look well-poised to take the lead by Stumps itself. Join us back at 4 pm local time (0300 GMT).

If there was any momentum for the Lankans, IF AT ALL ANY, Williamson snapped it in the first three balls that he faced. Three boundaries and Sri Lanka were on the back foot straightaway. He has since then scored at will, going at a strike rate of over 100 and it has not got down even once. Latham, at the other end, has looked calm and composed as ever, just blocking and keeping the balls out.

The session started with the Kiwis 1 down and has ended in the same manner. A wicket-less session for the Lankans. They induced a couple of edges but none went to hand. Probably, that got them frustrated, as they were simply not able to breach the defenses of Latham or Williamson. Result? 116 runs have been scored in 25 overs. Ouch. That is almost at 5 runs an over.

Fantastic. Simply fantastic. The session. The batting. All New Zealand. Sri Lanka look disheartened. They look flat. Boy, god save them in the third session.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. FOUR! ELEGANT! What a way to end the session. Full and outside off, Williamson leans and drives it through the covers and finds the boundary! TEA ON DAY 2, NEW ZEALAND TRAIL BY 107!

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. The ball is way outside the off stump, easy leave for the batsman.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Outside off, punched towards cover.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Fractionally short outside off, punched through the covers for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. NO BALL. Oversteps, bowls it on a length outside off, punched through mid off for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, Latham leans and drives it through the covers for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around off, defended from the crease.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Outside off again, punched through the covers for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Interesting. Plenty of breeze blowing across, hence they have decided to abort the floppy hats and got on the caps instead. Meanwhile, Dilruwan Perera is back on as well. 8-0-42-0 so far.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Gets the flick shot out and whips it through square leg for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Gets across and nudges it through square leg for a single. The deficit is now 119.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Williamson punches this through the covers for a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Around off, solidly defended from the crease.

Kasun Rajitha returns. 11-4-28-0 so far.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. A sharp short ball outside off, Tom sways away from the line.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, well defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Outside off, dabbed softly in front of point for a run.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Another punch and the 100-RUN STAND IS UP! In 129 balls. Sri Lanka are not getting anything going for them. Outside off, Williamson hops and gets it through point. The fielder dives and gets a hand to it, parrying it to deep point. Two runs taken.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Easy peasy. Length ball, outside off, a touch wide, Williamson gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers for a boundary.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Short and outside off, cut behind point for a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Tossed up outside off, plenty of width, Kane looks to go big initially, but then restrains himself.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Punches this through the covers for a single. 150 UP FOR NEW ZEALAND. The deficit is just 132 now.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, played straight to point.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Pushes this down the ground towards long on for a run to take the stand to 90.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Oohhh... was that a nick? Maybe I am hearing things. Early morning blues for me. Not even a reaction, even from the usually animated Dickwella. Landed outside off, Kane looked to feel for that but then decided to withdraw his bat. Was late and the ball whizzed past the outside edge. Thought I heard a sound...

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Yet another half century for the skipper. 29th for the record, 5th against this opposition. Hasn't broken a sweat. Still, got it in just 45 balls. Gets to the landmark with a gentle face-opening of his bat, guiding the ball behind point to the fence.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. Around off, pushed to the off side.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Landed outside off, coming in, Latham pushes it towards point and calls Williamson through for a quick run. The deficit is now 139.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. On a length outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short again, punched towards cover once more.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Outside off, Tom goes back and punches it towards cover.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Tighter line, around the stumps, watchfully defended.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Oohhh... nearly. Full and outside off, Latham dances down the track, looks to drive it through the covers but cannot keep it down. Short extra cover is in with a chance to catch but the ball lands just short of him.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Around off, defended from the crease.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. With two slips in place, Dilruwan bowls this on leg stump. Williamson calmly goes back and works it through square leg for a single.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and outside off again, driven straight to mid off.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full and around off, watchfully defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Outside off, punched towards cover.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. A bouncer around middle, Latham ducks.

Suranga Lakmal to Kane Williamson. More instances of terrific running. Williamson punches this on the up through the covers, finds the gap, exploits the sluggish and lazy fielding, challenges the Lankans and comes back for the third. The stand is now worth 81 from 103 balls.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Flighted delivery on off, Latham drives it to mid off. Big over for New Zealand. 13 runs from the over.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Tossed up on off, Williamson looks to defend but gets an outside edge past slip. The batsmen get three runs.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Good shot. Full on off, Williamson drives it through mid on for a boundary.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. FOUR RUNNING RUNS! Good running between the wickets. Short on off, Williamson cuts it through point. The fielder chases but the batsmen run four runs.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Tossed up on off, the skipper looks to defend but gets an outside edge past slip. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Tossed up on off, Williamson keeps it out.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. A bouncer now, Tom ducks.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Around off, solidly defended.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Wide outside off, Latham does not bother to play at it.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Good length delivery on off, Latham defends off the front foot.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. HALF CENTURY FOR LATHAM! Quality knock again. Not flustered at all. Short and outside off, Tom punches it through the covers. Kasun Rajitha gives it a good chase and dives, pulling the ball back in before the ropes. Three runs taken.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, worked straight to short mid-wicket.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, watchfully pressed to the off side.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Goes back and works it towards mid on now.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Around off, Williamson goes back and flicks it straight to short leg.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. FOUR! Consecutive boundaries for Tom Latham. Short on off, Latham slaps it through covers for a delightful boundary. He has looked good in that area.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. TOP EDGE, FOUR! Rare false shot from Latham. Short of a length delivery, Latham looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes high in the air towards fine leg and there is a fielder in the deep. He runs to his left but had no chance.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Full on off, Latham drives it to mid off.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Good length delivery on off, the left-hander defends off the back foot.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Good length delivery outside off, the left-hander offers no shot.

Suranga Lakmal to Tom Latham. Wide outside off, Latham leaves it alone.

DRINKS! Suranga Lakmal comes into the attack.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Floated on off, Williamson blocks it well.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Tossed up on middle, the left-hander flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Short on off, the left-hander cuts it to point.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Flighted delivery on off, Latham comes down the track and defends it.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Tossed up on middle, Latham defends off the back foot.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. FOUR! 50 partnership between Tom Latham and Kane Williamson. Full on leg, Latham flicks it through mid-wicket. Mathews makes a slow chase and the ball races away to the boundary. New Zealand totally looking in control.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Length delivery on off, the left-hander plays it towards point. The batsmen take a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Good length delivery on off, Latham defends off the back foot.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Full on off, the skipper drives it towards point for a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Wide outside off, Williamson offers no shot.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Length delivery on off, Latham cuts it towards point. The batsmen cross ends.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Good length delivery on off, Latham defends off the back foot.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Tossed up on middle, Latham flicks it towards fine leg. The fielder at fine leg throws at the bowler's end but Latham was well in. The batsmen take a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Full on off, Williamson drives it towards mid off. The batsmen take a single.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Floated on off, Latham comes down the track and drives it towards mid off. The batsmen take a run.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. 100 up for New Zealand. Short on off, Latham cuts it towards covers. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Dilruwan Perera to Tom Latham. Flighted delivery on off, Latham defends off the front foot.

Dilruwan Perera to Kane Williamson. Tossed up on middle, Williamson flicks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen take a run.

Dilruwan Perera is back into the attack.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Good length delivery on middle, the southpaw blocks it well.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Good length delivery on off, the left-hander keeps it out.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Bowls bouncer again, Latham ducks underneath it.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Bowls a bouncer, Latham does well to duck under it.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Short delivery, the skipper pulls it towards fine leg again. This time just a single.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Short of length delivery on leg, Williamson pulls it towards fine leg. The fielder at fine leg dives but in vain. The ball races away to the boundary.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Length delivery on middle, the captain flicks it towards the leg side for a run.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Length delivery on leg, the left-hander tucks it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Length delivery on leg, Latham flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen pick up a couple.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, the skipper drives it through covers. Mathews chases it and stops it comfortably. The batsmen get three runs.

Kasun Rajitha to Kane Williamson. Good length delivery on middle, Williamson defends off the back foot.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Full outside off, Latham drives it through covers. The fielder makes an excellent chase and dives just before the ropes to stop the boundary. The batsmen get three runs.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Bowls a bouncer, the skipper does well to duck under it.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Length delivery on leg, the left-hander flicks it towards fine leg. The batsmen take a run.

Lahiru Kumara to Tom Latham. Bowls a bouncer, Latham does well to duck under it.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Length delivery again on leg, Williamson flicks it past short leg and it goes towards mid-wicket. The batsmen cross ends.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Length delivery on off, Williamson taps it to point.

Lahiru Kumara to Kane Williamson. Length delivery on leg, Williamson flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Down the leg side, Latham misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads through square leg. A couple of runs taken, leg byes signalled.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. A short ball, down the leg side, Tom gets across and lets it go.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Kasun Rajitha to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.