Gritty Williamson fights to keep New Zealand alive

FE Team | Published: January 06, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

WELLINGTON, Jan 5 (AFP): Kane Williamson and BJ Watling produced an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 94 to keep New Zealand alive on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Monday.
New Zealand were 253-5 at stumps, a 118-run advantage with five wickets in hand, after the stubborn Williamson-Watling partnership recovered the innings from a perilous 159-5.
Williamson was on 80, in sight of his ninth Test century, and Watling was on 48, nearing his ninth half century, giving New Zealand confidence a lead of 200 could be enough.
However, despite their dogged fight, the odds remained in favour of Sri Lanka pulling off a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Christchurch by eight wickets.
For New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum, returning to the Basin Reserve for the first time since his match-saving 302 against India a year ago, there were to be no heroics this time.
He was out for 22 while Jimmy Neesham, who scored a century in the India Test, was out for 19.
After McCullum's departure it fell to Williamson to shoulder responsibility for keeping New Zealand afloat.
He was dropped on 29 and again on 60 in an otherwise cautious innings in which the partnership has seen off the second new ball and ensured the Test should extend deep into the fourth day at least.
Kumar Sangakkara's imperious 203 on the second day led Sri Lanka to a 135-run first innings lead and gave the tourists the advantage.
Openers Latham and Hamish Rutherford started the New Zealand second innings positively, reaching 75 before their reply was ripped apart in a 30-ball burst that claimed three wickets.
Rutherford could not resist slashing wildly during a barrage of short deliveries outside off and was caught in the third-man trap.
His dismissal unsettled Latham who shuffled around for a few more overs before being caught behind to give Nuwan Pradeep a second wicket. Ross Taylor lasted just seven balls before he was bowled by Rangana Herath.
From 75 without loss New Zealand were quickly 79-3 with the fourth and fifth wickets of McCullum and Neesham following at 122 and 159.
New Zealand 1st innings: 221 (K. Williamson 69; N. Pradeep 4-63, S. Lakmal 3-71)
Sri Lanka 1st innings:  356 (K. Sangakkara 203, D. Chandimal 67; J. Neesham 3-42, D. Bracewell 3-93)
New Zealand 2nd innings:  (overnight 22-0), T Latham c Jayawardene b Pradeep 35, H Rutherford c Chandimal b Pradeep 40, K Williamson not out 80, R Taylor b Herath 0, B McCullum lbw Prasad 22, J Neesham lbw Pradeep 19, B Watling not out 48
Extras: (lb6 w2, nb1) 9
Total: (five wickets, 101 overs) 253