New Zealand 103-3 on Day 3 of the 2nd Test vs. Sri Lanka

By KRISHAN FRANCIS 25 August 2019, 12:00AM

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Tom Latham scored his 16th test half-century to take New Zealand to 103-3 at tea on the third day of the second test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Sri Lanka was earlier dismissed for 244 and leads by 141 runs in the first innings.

The Black Caps resumed after lunch on one run and quickly lost their first wicket in the second over with no addition to the score.

Sri Lankan off spinner Dilruwan Perera drew Jeet Raval forward with a flighted delivery and the ball turned, took the outside edge and was safely caught by Dhanajaya de Silva at slip.

Captain Kane Williamson joined Latham and the pair added 33 runs together. Williamson, who just scored four runs in both innings of the first test, showed promise with 20 but edged fast bowler Lahiru Kumara to Kusal Mendis at slip.

Latham and Ross Taylor shared 50 runs for the third wicket before Taylor stepped out to hit left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya only to be caught at slip by de Silva.

Latham was 55 not out including five boundaries, with Henry Nicolls batting on five.

Earlier de Silva scored his fifth test century to rally Sri Lanka from trouble and reach a competitive 244.

De Silva walked in to bat when Sri Lanka was 93-4 and saw quick wickets fall at the other end to push the total to 131-6. 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 by hitting 16 boundaries and a six from 148 deliveries.

He shared 41 runs with No. 8 batsman 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 144-6 and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel trapped Perera lbw for New Zealand's first breakthrough for the day.

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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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By KRISHAN FRANCIS 25 August 2019, 12:00AM
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