ZCZC
BSP-17
CRICKET-NZL-SRI LEAD
New Zealand eye victory as Wagner rocks Sri Lanka
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Dec 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand were eyeing
an historic victory as injury and a barrage of Neil Wagner bouncers left Sri
Lanka in tatters at the close of day four of the second Test in Christchurch
on Saturday.
The conditions were tailor-made for short-ball specialist Wagner, New
Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen said, as Sri Lanka were 231 for six at
stumps.
At most they have only four wickets left, but with doubt whether the
injured Angelo Mathews will return to help them survive the final day.
At the crease were Dilruwan Perera on 22 and Suranga Lakmal on 16 with
their 660-run target out of sight.
Wagner, who had little success earlier in the series, broke through
stubborn Sri Lankan resistance, with figures of three for 47 from a marathon
28 overs.
“I think he showed what he could do once he had a little bit more bounce
on offer. I thought he bowled with really good pace and really questioned the
Sri Lankan batsmen,” Jurgensen said.
“I was commenting in our viewing area saying I think this day is set up
for Neil.
“He was really licking his lips today to have a good crack and he
certainly had that.”
After rain ensured a drawn first Test in Wellington, a win in the
Christchurch decider would give New Zealand a fourth consecutive series win
for the first time after beating the West Indies, England and Pakistan
earlier this year.
Despite losing both openers in the first two overs of their second
innings, Sri Lanka fought to stay in the game until Wagner came into the
frame.
Skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis produced stubborn resistance for
53 overs for the third wicket before Mendis went for 67.
They had seen off the swing and seam of New Zealand strike bowlers Tim
Southee and Trent Boult at the start of the day, were untroubled by spinner
Ajaz Patel, and initially they dodged the barrage aimed at the ribs by
Wagner.
But Mendis, who in the course of his innings became only the second player
behind India’s Virat Kohli to score 1,000 Test runs this year, was frustrated
as Wagner forced him on to the back foot with four successive deliveries.
When the next ball was full length, the 23-year-old could not resist going
for the drive and was smartly caught by substitute fielder Matt Henry diving
to his left at extra cover.
Angelo Mathews, who in the first three innings of the series scored 236
runs and was dismissed only once, reached 22 when he was forced to retire at
tea with a hamstring injury after hobbling between the wickets for the last
10 minutes before the interval.
Chandimal faced 228 deliveries before he fell victim to a Wagner bouncer
that zipped from the gloves to the helmet and into the hands of close-in
fielder Henry Nicholls.
Niroshan Dickwella reached 19 before he chopped a wide Southee delivery on
to his stumps.
Silva and Dilruwan Perera took Sri Lanka past the 200 mark before Wagner
struck again with Silva caught behind for 18.
Wagner also clouted Perera on the helmet with a rising delivery just
before stumps but the batsman was able to play on after being checked by
medical staff.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1523 hrs