Cricket: Late wickets aid Black Caps

Trent Boult struck late on the third day to help New Zealand's search for victory. Photo / Getty

Sri Lanka enjoyed easily their best day of the first test to pull themselves back into the contest on the third day at Hagley Oval today.

However the loss of a couple of wickets late in the day undermined the earlier strong work and at stumps, the tourists were 293 for five with captain Angelo Mathews on 53 and nightwatchman Tharindu Kaushal on five.

Having begun the day at 84 for none, trailing New Zealand by 219, this was a day when their patience and resilience was well rewarded.

Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was the star turn, hitting his maiden test hundred, 152 off 363 balls and batting 483 minutes.

He shared an 87-run stand with obdurate Lahiru Thirimanne for the third wicket, then a more assertive 96 with Mathews.

He drove fluidly and cut strongly, particularly late in his innings, before being bowled by a terrific ball from left armer Trent Boult which pitch on his middle stump and moved away a fraction to bend his off stump back.

Niroshan Dickwella didn't last long and debutant Kaushal hung on in the last couple of overs, with captain Brendon McCullum setting eight fielders between first slip and square gully.

Mathews completed his second half century of the match and Sri Lanka's chances of being competitive tomorrow rest with him.

New Zealand worked hard and generally impressively. The ball regularly beat the defensive stroke and offspinner Mark Craig caused problems with turn and bounce.

A couple of half chances went begging and Karunaratne survived two referrals by New Zealand, although in both cases, at 83 and 103, the decision was correct.

Boult finished the day with three for 62 while Tim Southee and Jimmy Neesham had one wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka will start the fourth day 10 runs behind.