“We’ve given ourselves a great chance to win the Test match,” Mathews stated after his masterful 115, constituted of just about six hours within the center in Christchurch.
His innings rescued Sri Lanka from a decent spot and led the vacationers to a 2nd innings overall of 302.
That set New Zealand a goal of 285, and the house facet have been 28 for one by way of stumps after 17 overs, with Conway out for 5.
Tom Latham used to be now not out 11 with Kane Williamson on seven, with New Zealand requiring 257 at the ultimate day. The easiest fourth-innings rating at Hagley Oval is 256 for 8 in a drawn Test.
“We had to work extremely hard to get those runs and we’ve got the fast bowlers to exploit the conditions,” Mathews stated.
“We had the belief that if the batters get the runs on the board the fast bowlers will come into play. We need to strike early (Monday) to get into the game and if we can open one end we can put a lot of pressure on the Kiwis.”
An additional 257 runs to win at Hagley Oval. Tom Latham (11*) and Kane Williamson (7*) see the group to stumps Day 5 🏏… https://t.co/GAGBRdXiBR
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) 1678599438000
Sri Lanka want some other 9 wickets at the ultimate day however their possibilities might be dashed by way of rain this is forecast for the morning.
New Zealand have handiest pleasure at stake however Sri Lanka, enjoying their first Test in seven months, are chasing their price ticket to the World Test Championship ultimate in opposition toAustralia.
They should win in Christchurch in addition to the second one Test in Wellington to make the overall.
Sri Lanka additionally want Australia to win or draw their present fourth Test in opposition to India.
There used to be jubilation within the Sri Lankan camp when Kasun Rajitha had Conway stuck and bowled for 5, and identical scenes when he idea he had Williamson lbw with out scoring.
A phrase from Blair Tickner after taking 4-100 as of late in his 2d Test 🏏 #NZvSL https://t.co/oOtlz7pX99
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) 1678607508000
Sri Lanka reviewed the now not out name however Williamson, who made just one within the first innings, used to be secure.
Mathews went to the center overdue Saturday with Sri Lanka in bother at 81 for 3, which turned into 95 for 4 early Sunday with the dismissal of nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya.
But New Zealand’s self assurance used to be dented because the 35-year-old Mathews placed on 105 for the 5th wicket with Dinesh Chandimal and added an additional 60 with Dhananjaya de Silva ahead of he used to be pushed aside by way of Matt Henry.
His 235-ball innings, full of chanceless ones and twos and 11 limitations, took Sri Lanka to a place of power.
De Silva persisted the momentum together with his overdue cameo, completing unbeaten on 47 whilst Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara chimed in with ratings of 14 and 8 as Henry mopped up the tail.
(AI pictures)
Blair Tickner, who accounted for the Sri Lankan best order, took 4 for 100 whilst Henry completed with 3 for 71.
New Zealand seamer Neil Wagner, who left the sphere injured on Saturday, didn’t bowl after scans printed a bulging disc in his again and a torn proper hamstring.
Wagner has been dominated out of the second one Test beginning on Friday.