Samaraweera holds fort for Sri Lanka

Published on: Nov 27, 2012

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Sri Lanka were rescued by a fighting partnership between Thilan Samaraweera and off-spinner Suraj Randiv on the third day’s play of the Second and Final Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

By BV Swagath

Sri Lanka were rescued by a fighting partnership between Thilan Samaraweera and off-spinner Suraj Randiv on the third day’s play of the Second and Final Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo. The hosts finished Day 3 at 225 for 6 before bad light had the last laugh.

Thilan SamaraweeraIt was a precarious position for the hosts at 43 on the board losing its three star batsmen yesterday evening in reply to New Zealand’s 412. The morning session was dominated by the Kiwis as they took two more wickets and conceded only 64 runs in 26 overs. Samaraweera, who has been demoted to no.6 came to the rescue in the next two sessions to come up with a patient 76* from 156 balls with 5 fours. Suraj Randiv supported him with his unbeaten 34 (from 102 balls).

Tim Southee took two of the three wickets that fell today of opener Tharanga Paranavitana (40 from 112 balls) and Angelo Mathews (47 from 111 balls with 5 fours and a six). Jeetan Patel took the other wicket to fall that of Wicket Keeper Prasanna Jayawardene.