Sri Lanka 244 all out in 1st innings of 2nd test vs NZ
Dhananjaya de Silva scored his fifth test century to rally Sri Lanka from trouble and reach a competitive 244 runs in the first innings of the second test against New Zealand on Saturday.
New Zealand batted for two overs and went to lunch on the third day at one run without loss.
De Silva walked in to bat when Sri Lanka was 93 for four and saw quick wickets fall at the other end pushing Sri Lanka to 131 for six. He survived at nine when fast bowler Trent Boult dropped an easy high catch off his own bowling; but he made good his luck and held the Sri Lanka innings together facing 148 deliveries hitting 16 boundaries and a six.
Sri Lanka's Dilruwan Perera, left, celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand's Jeet Raval with his teammates during day three of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
He shared 41 runs with No. 8 batsman Dilruwan Perera (13) and 43 runs with Suranga Lakmal (10) at No.9.
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne made 65 while opening the batting.
Sri Lanka resumed day three at 144 for six and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel trapped Perera lbw for New Zealand's first breakthrough for the day.
Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva celebrates scoring a century as his teammate Lahiru Kumara watches during day three of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
Fast bowler Tim Southee continued his good run from the second day, taking two more wickets to finish with four for 63. Boult had three for 75.
Sri Lanka won the first test by six wickets in Galle and looks to sweep the two-test series.
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New Zealand's Tim Southee, second left, celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lasith Embuldeniya with his teammates during day three of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)
New Zealand's Tim Southee, left, celebrates taking the wicket of Sri Lanka's Lasith Embuldeniya with his teammates during day three of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoEranga Jayawardena)