COLOMBO: New Zealand were within sight of their first Test victory in Sri Lanka in 14 years after 17 wickets fell on a thrilling penultimate day of the series yesterday.
New Zealand went into the match on the back of five successive losses, their worst run in 57 years. They were thrashed in the first Test, losing by 10 wickets inside three days. But thanks to fast bowlers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell, along with captain Ross Taylor, they set up the chance of a rare win. The Black Caps set Mahela Jayawardene’s side 363 for victory after first bowling them out for 244 and making 194 for nine declared in their second-innings.
“We are well aware of the history,” said New Zealand coach Mike Hesson. “Results don’t lie and five (losses) in a row is hard to take. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to string together four good days but clearly we have still got a lot of work to do and tomorrow is a huge day for us.
“It was nice to get the three big boys out (Dilshan, Sangakkara and Jayawardene) tonight but we know we are going to have to work for every one of those six wickets and it could take us until 5 o’clock.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2012.
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