New Zealand fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult ensured their side remained in charge of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday, reducing the home side to 43 for three at the close.
New Zealand had reached 412 in their first innings thanks largely to a record third-wicket partnership of 262 between captain Ross Taylor (142) and Kane Williamson (135), before Southee took two for 16 and Boult one for 16.
At one stage Sri Lanka were 12 for three thanks to Boult and Southee’s triple breakthrough before Tharanga Paranavitana (9) and Angelo Mathews survived (20) to the close without further loss.
Sri Lanka remain in a precarious position as Thilan Samaraweera may have problems batting after suffering a cut to the webbing on his right hand while fielding which required three stitches.
Southee started the rot with the first two wickets of the Sri Lanka innings in three balls, bowling the fit-again Tillakaratne Dilshan between bat and pad for five and then causing Kumar Sangakkara to top-edge a hook-shot to fine leg to perish for a duck.
Boult got in on the action when he induced Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena (4) to edge a loose drive to gully, where Williamson pouched a low chance. “To get three wickets before stumps was a great start and the bowlers have been bowling really well throughout this series,” Williamson said.
“It was a good day all round and finishing off with the wickets was great. I think we’re in a good position but, saying that, it’s a very good track and we’ve got to bowl that side out twice to get a victory.
“They have got some seriously good cricketers and so that’s not going to be an easy feat (to win).”