Sri Lanka follow-on as Matt Henry and Michael Bracewell steer New Zealand on moving day

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Sri Lanka face a massive uphill task to avoid a defeat against New Zealand as they concluded Day 3 on 113/2. The Lankan Lions kickstarted the day’s play with 26/2 on the board, trailing by 303 runs. 

Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne continued his fine knock and got his half-century off 106 balls. However, the BlackCaps struck back-to-back blows as the tourists lost seven wickets for a mere score of 162 runs at drinks. 

Karunaratne was returned to the pavilion for 89 runs, whereas Dinesh Chandimal registered 37 runs before his dismissal. Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Michael Bracewell got three wickets apiece in their bowling innings. 

New Zealand extend their domination on Day 3

After the drinks break, the Islanders could only get two runs and were skittled out for 164 runs in the game’s second innings. With the meagre total in place, New Zealand enforced the follow-on at the Basin Reserve and maintained further momentum in the game.

Sri Lanka again lost an early wicket after following on as Oshada Fernando was dismissed for just five runs. In the hopes of reviving the innings and, subsequently, the game, skipper Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis raised an essential 71-run partnership to keep their innings steady.

However, Kiwi skipper Tim Southee sent his counterpart Karunaratne (51 off 83 runs) packing after a top-edge saw Devon Conway comfortably pouching the ball. Kusal Mendis carved out a soft knock in the middle-order and kept the scoreboard ticking.

Mendis registered his fifty off 96 balls with eight boundaries to his name and concluded Day 3 with an individual score of an unbeaten 50 off 100 balls. The Lankan Lions managed to get 113 runs as the two sides drew curtains on the third day with two wickets down. The Kiwis will look to maintain their dominance on a penultimate day as they inch closer towards a series sweep.

Here is how Twitter reacted-

10:12 AM · Mar 19, 2023

10:47 AM · Mar 19, 2023

Newzealand enforced follow on the cards 3 day test match finish on the cards But none will raise voice as pitch is green top not rank turner #NZvSL #nzvssl

07:52 AM · Mar 19, 2023

06:47 AM · Mar 19, 2023

Last 2 second-inning scores for Kusal Mendis at Wellington. ☑️ scored half century in 2018 ☑️ scored half century in 2023 *** #NZvSL

10:55 AM · Mar 19, 2023