5.25pm So SL have wrapped up the NZ innings after 157.3 painful overs. Latham remained impregnable and carries his bat - first New Zealander to do so in New Zealand and second overall. No praise is high enough for this marathon effort. A lead of 296 runs. Sri Lanka will have to fight fatigue - physical and mental - and defend for 12 overs. That's a painful, painful task. Boult and Southee will be fresh and raring to go with the new ball. Back soon with the reply.
Hrishikesh: "Srilanka leads 'Tom Latham' by 18 runs."
TA Boult c †Dickwella b Kumara 11 (17m 6b 2x4 0x6) SR: 183.33
END OF OVER:157 | 11 Runs | NZ: 573/9
- Trent Boult7 (4b)
- Tom Latham263 (488b)
- Dilruwan Perera40-1-156-2
- Kasun Rajitha34-5-144-0
END OF OVER:156 | 13 Runs | NZ: 562/9
- Tom Latham252 (483b)
- Trent Boult7 (3b)
- Kasun Rajitha34-5-144-0
- Dilruwan Perera39-1-145-2
Alright then.. watch out for the magic signal from the dressing room
Brendon Saroj C: "96% control after facing 481 balls. Is he a machine??!!!"
Around the wicket to the right-hander.. Watch out for some chin music
END OF OVER:155 | 7 Runs 1 Wkt | NZ: 549/9
- Trent Boult0 (1b)
- Tom Latham246 (479b)
- Dilruwan Perera39-1-145-2
- Kasun Rajitha33-5-131-0
NZ opt to bat on but we have ourselves a little drinks break.
AY Patel b Perera 6 (43m 21b 0x4 0x6) SR: 28.57
END OF OVER:154 | 3 Runs | NZ: 542/8
- Ajaz Patel5 (19b)
- Tom Latham240 (476b)
- Kasun Rajitha33-5-131-0
- Dilruwan Perera38-1-138-1
Sanjay: "If Latham wants a triple ton, he is gonna have to speed up markedly. Not much batting at the other end for NZ. " -- That's a long way away. They might want to have a crack at SL today.