New Zealand v Sri Lanka Second Test: Black Caps close in on victory

Day four report

New Zealand took a step closer to wrapping up the series against Sri Lanka as the Black Caps held the tourists to 231 for six on day four.

Sri Lanka had a mountain to climb to keep their series hopes alive as they took the bat in Christchurch on Saturday.

Chasing down the hosts' mammoth lead of 659, the visitors got off to a dreadful start, with the loss of opening batsmen Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka for nought and four respectively by the end of the second over.

Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal found form and took Sir Lanka to 126 before a breakthrough for New Zealand in the 55th over.

Mendis, who scored his eighth Test half century, was caught on 67 in the 54th over and replaced at the wicket by Angelo Mathews, but in a blow to the tourists he retired through injury at tea after posting 22.

Roshen Silva came out to bat with Chandimal after the break and Sri Lanka edged up to 158 before the captain was caught out for 56.

Silva and Dilruwan Perera managed to get the visitors over 200 before the former was caught on 18, leaving Perera and Suranga Lakmal to see out the day with Sri Lanka needing 429 to win.

Day three report

Tom Latham notched up 176 as New Zealand powered towards victory in the second Test by batting Sri Lanka out of the game when compiling a whopping 660 lead in Christchurch.

Sri Lanka were made to toil in the field as the Black Caps piled on the runs on day three.

Latham, who carried his bat with 264 in the first Test, put on a 200-plus run partnership with Henry Nicholls (162no) as the target for Sri Lanka increased.

Colin de Grandhomme came in for Latham as he was caught behind just before tea and raced to a 45-ball 71, with Kane Williamson opting to call time on the New Zealand innings on 585 for four, a lead of 659.

Sri Lanka needed to bat through 14 overs and two days to save the Test, but lost both their openers within the first two overs.

Dimuth Karunaratne got a fine edge on a Trent Boult delivery and was caught behind, while Danushka Gunathilaka edged off Tim Southee and was caught by BJ Watling for four.

Kusal Mendis (6) and Dinesh Chandimal (14) steadied the ship and will resume on Saturday on 24 for 2, needing 636.

Day two report

Trent Boult put New Zealand firmly on the front foot in the second Test against Sri Lanka - taking six wickets in 15 balls as the tourists collapsed.

Angelo Mathews and Roshen Silva started day two at the crease, chasing a 90-run deficit on 88 for four after bowling New Zealand out for 178.

Five overs into the day and Boult had his first victim, Silva holing out for 21.

Three more wickets fell in the 39th over of the innings, Niroshan Dickwella caught by Tim Southee for four before Dilruwan Perera and Suranga Lakmal fell lbw on consecutive balls.

The hat-trick ball was negotiated but Dushmantha Chameera's dismissal sealed a five-wicket haul and Lahiru Kumara was caught lbw as the tourists only put on ten runs for six wickets - four of which came off the bowling of Boult.

Jeet Raval and Tom Latham (74 no) then helped the Black Caps stretch their lead out, combining for a partnership of 121 before Sri Lanka struck just after tea dismissing Raval for 74.

Kane Williamson (48) fell just short of a half-century and the home side will resume on 231 for two.

Day one report

The visitors won the toss and opted to bowl, firmly taking control of the morning session as Suranga Lakmal produced a bowling masterclass - with figures of five for 54 - to unsettle the Black Caps' top order.

Jeet Raval, Tom Latham and Black Caps captain Kane Williamson all fell cheaply to Lakmal in a 16-over spell before he went on to claim his second career five-wicket haul.

New Zealand slipped to 64 for six before a 108-run partnership from BJ Watling and Southee rescued the innings, the Christchurch pitch proving a tough test with the bat.

Southee was eventually dismissed by Dilruwan Perera for 68 from 65 deliveries, Danushka Gunathilaka's stunning catch turning things back in Sri Lanka's favour as New Zealand were bowled out for 178 runs.

In reply, Southee's batting heroics were followed by three quick Sri Lankan wickets to leave the tourists 21 for three before Angelo Mathews (27) and Roshen Silva (15) were left chasing a 90-run deficit going into day two on 88 for four.