Christchurch: Trent Boult (6/30) needed just 15 balls to change the complexion of the second Test against Sri Lanka here Thursday when the New Zealand seamer bowled a devastating spell to ensure his side took complete control.
Boult finished with his career-best figures to help bowl out the visitors for 104, giving New Zealand a valuable 74-run first innings lead in the series decider.
Jeet Raval (74) and Tom Latham (74 batting) then put on 121-run opening partnership, while captain Kane Williamson scored 48 as the hosts took firm control of the game. Ross Taylor (25 batting) was occupying the crease alongside Latham at the close of play on the second day with New Zealand on 231 for two and holding an overall lead of 305 runs.
Sri Lanka had resumed on 88/4 and appeared to be comfortable as they looked to take a big chunk out of New Zealand’s modest first innings of 178. Boult then produced one of the most destructive spells in Test cricket. Boult had Silva (21) and Niroshan Dickwella (four) both caught at third slip by Tim Southee.
The 29-year-old then had Dilruwan Perera and Suranga Lakmal trapped lbw on the fifth and sixth balls of his 14th over. Dushmantha Chameera, however, survived the hat-trick delivery on the first ball of Boult’s 15th over but was trapped in front on the next. Lahiru Kumara then became the fourth successive lbw decision for a duck as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 104.
Brief scores: New Zealand 178 and 231/2 (Tom Latham 74 batting; Jeet Raval 74) vs Sri Lanka 104 (Angelo Mathews 33 n o; Trent Boult 6/30). Match to continue.
