Mitchell, Henry made a strong comeback for New Zealand

Christchurch New Zealand returned strongly in the match by scoring 373 runs on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Saturday, thanks to a brilliant century from Darryl Mitchell (102) and a half-century from Matt Henry (72).

New Zealand took a small but significant first innings lead of 18 runs, adding 222 runs on the strength of the lower order after losing five wickets for 151 runs in home conditions. Sri Lanka have lost three wickets for 83 runs before the end of the day’s play.

In this return of the Kiwi team, Mitchell played the most important role, scoring 102 runs in 193 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. Mitchell also shared 37 and 47 runs with Michael Bracewell (25) and Tim Southee (25) for the sixth and seventh wickets respectively.

After the fall of Mitchell’s wicket, Henry took the lead and played an innings of 72 runs to put New Zealand in the lead. Henry hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 75-ball innings. Apart from this, Neil Wagner also contributed 27 runs off 24 balls (one four, three sixes).

Asita Fernando was Sri Lanka’s best bowler with four wickets, while Lahiru Kumara bagged three wickets. Kasun Rajita got two wickets and Prabhat Jayasuriya got one wicket. The confidence gained from the lower order batting was also seen in New Zealand’s bowling. Southee and Henry bowled disciplined in the early overs as Sri Lankan openers struggled to score runs.

Blair Tickner took advantage of this and sent Dimuth Karunaratne and Oshada Fernando to the pavilion in his first spell. Captain Karunaratne could manage only 17 runs off 45 balls with the help of one four, while Fernando scored 28 runs off 52 balls with four fours.

Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews tired out the Kiwi bowlers with the help of a patient defense before the end of the day’s play. Tickner dismissed Mendis (14) in the last over of the day, although Mathews (20 not out) and Prabhat (02 not out) remained at the crease.