September 20, 2024

Mathews and Dhananjaya Boost Sri Lanka’s Lead Before Rest Day

Sri Lanka bounced back from O’Rourke’s earlier strikes, thanks to solid performances by Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal, who set a strong foundation for the innings. Both players scored fifties, followed by steady contributions from Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva. By the end of day three in Galle, Sri Lanka had extended their lead to 202 runs.

Mathews and de Silva formed an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 59 runs as the extended final session came to a close, solidifying Sri Lanka’s hard-earned advantage. On the bowling side, Prabath Jayasuriya bounced back from a rough day two, taking three wickets to finish with 4 for 136. Ramesh Mendis also performed well, capturing two wickets to end with figures of 3 for 101.

A crucial 147-run partnership between Karunaratne and Chandimal threatened to take the game away from New Zealand. However, their stand was finally broken due to New Zealand’s persistence and the deteriorating pitch conditions. Ajaz Patel focused on exploiting the rough patches outside the left-hander’s off stump, and his strategy paid off when he bowled Karunaratne, who missed a sweep shot.

O’Rourke Strikes Back as Sri Lanka Battles on a Challenging Pitch

This breakthrough opened the door for New Zealand, and Will O’Rourke quickly returned to the attack, dismissing Chandimal, who flicked a catch to leg slip. O’Rourke’s pace and bounce continued to trouble the Sri Lankan batters, leading to him taking the wicket of Kamindu Mendis, bringing his tally to eight wickets in the match, just two away from a remarkable ten-wicket haul.

As the day progressed, the pitch began to turn more sharply, making it challenging for Mathews and Dhananjaya. Despite the difficulties, they managed to score runs when possible and navigated some tricky situations with a bit of luck.

Even in the final overs, after more than 100 deliveries into their partnership, Dhananjaya had a close call when his outside edge flew past Daryl Mitchell at first slip, and Mathews survived a very tight leg-before-wicket shout that came down to an umpire’s call on the line of impact.

When Karunaratne and Chandimal were at the crease, batting seemed much easier, and any pitch-related challenges appeared to be minimal. Their partnership showcased discipline and the ability to seize opportunities. New Zealand targeted good lines and lengths outside off stump, but both batters, especially Karunaratne, often refused to engage with those deliveries. When the bowlers tightened their lines, he skillfully defended by either going back or stepping forward.

Chandimal, though less comfortable defending, found success with sweeps and reverse sweeps to shift the pressure whenever the bowlers settled into a rhythm. He also effectively used his footwork. Both batters were quick to capitalize on anything short, with Karunaratne particularly effective with his cuts, making it one of his most productive shots.

Strategic Partnerships and Key Breakthroughs Shape the Day

While boundaries weren’t a major part of their innings, both batters used them strategically to relieve any mounting pressure. Mostly, it was their clever maneuvering for singles and twos that kept the pressure manageable.

This crucial partnership contributed to a strong day for Sri Lanka, which began with them taking the last six New Zealand wickets for just 89 runs in the morning session. Sri Lanka started brightly, maintaining consistent lines and lengths, forcing the New Zealand batters to take risks. For the most part, New Zealand responded well, especially Daryl Mitchell, who looked in excellent form. His positive footwork was evident, particularly when he lofted a disdainful shot down the ground off Lahiru Kumara, reflecting the aggressive approach New Zealand had successfully used on day two.

Sri Lanka got the crucial break they needed when Glenn Phillips called for an ill-advised single to cover. Mitchell, who was on 57, was slightly slow to respond, and that hesitation left him just short of the crease. With Mitchell batting, Sri Lanka faced a potential deficit of over 100 runs, but suddenly, they sensed an opportunity.

In quick succession, Sri Lanka took several wickets as Jayasuriya and Mendis cleaned up New Zealand’s tail. Ultimately, New Zealand was bowled out for 340, leaving them with a first-innings lead of just 35 runs. At the start of the day, Sri Lanka would have gladly accepted this outcome, especially considering New Zealand began the day 50 runs behind with six wickets remaining. However, by the end of the innings, Sri Lanka might have felt a twinge of disappointment for allowing New Zealand to accumulate those extra runs.

On the other hand, New Zealand appreciated every one of those 35 runs, especially after losing five wickets for just 50 runs in the first hour of play. Phillips was key in this phase, scoring an unbeaten 49 off 48 balls, including some impressive hits against Jayasuriya, before the last wicket fell. Those runs could still prove valuable in the context of the match.