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BJ Watling's dogged half-century keeps New Zealand in the match on Day 3 against Sri Lanka

BJ Watling scored a half-century on Day 3
BJ Watling scored a half-century on Day 3
©Reuters
By Saksham Mishra

When the game was finally called off due to bad light, New Zealand were at 195-7 and lead by 177 runs. A total of around 230 will challenge the Sri Lankan batsmen on a pitch that is still not too bad for batting.


Match Summary: Day 3

Sri Lanka 267

New Zealand 249, 195-7 (76.0 Overs)

[Watling(wk) 63(138), Latham 45(81); Lasith Embuldeniya 4/71, Dhananjaya de Silva 2/16]

New Zealand lead by 177 runs



Continuing from their overnight score of 227-7, the partnership between Niroshan Dickwella and Suranga Lakmal frustrated the Kiwis further. Trent Boult finally bowled Lakmal to end the 81-run stand which had gone a long way in bringing Sri Lanka back into the match.

In fact, after The Lions were dismissed at 267, they actually took an 18-run lead. Niroshan Dickwella scored a well-deserved half-century and was well assisted by Lakmal, who scored 40.

Apart from Ajaz Patel's five-wicket haul, Trent Boult took two and William Somerville took three for the Blackcaps.



In reply, New Zealand lost opener Jeet Raval in the eighth over. Kane Williamson was at the crease for 25 deliveries but it was a rare twin failure for the skipper as he got dismissed for four.

New Zealand were at 98-5 at one point and things were looking bleak for them. However, wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling then took control of things with a patient half-century. He got some support from Tim Southee.

As a result, when the game was finally called off due to bad light, New Zealand were at 195-7 and lead by 177 runs. A total of around 230 will challenge the Sri Lankan batsman on a pitch that is still not too bad for batting.

Sri Lanka- Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara

New Zealand- Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, William Somerville, Trent Boult, Ajaz Patel

©Cricket World 2019