Wellington, Jan 6: A world record sixth-wicket partnership of 365 by Kane Williamson (242 n o, 438b, 18×4) and BJ Watling (142 n o, 333b, 9×4, 1×6), who both posted career bests, slammed the door on Sri Lanka in the second Test here Tuesday. Riding on their knocks New Zealand recovered from a deep hole and declared their second innings on 524 for the loss of five wickets.
Sri Lanka were left facing a 390-run target on a ground where the record for a successful fourth innings chase is 277/3 set by Pakistan 11 years ago. At stumps, the visitors were 45/1 with Kaushal Silva on 20 and Dhammika Prasad on one. Dimuth Karunaratne was out for 17 four overs before the close to be the only dismissal of the day.
Brought together as New Zealand’s last recognised batsmen with the score at 159-5, a perilous 24-run lead, Williamson and Watling methodically ground the Sri Lankan bowlers into submission over the following eight hours.
The declaration came when they were 13-runs ahead of the previous sixth-wicket record of 352 set by Watling with Brendon McCullum in similar Test-saving circumstances against India a year ago.
Sri Lanka were not without chances to break the partnership and regain control and they paid a heavy price for sloppy fielding. Williamson offered four chances – but those were not accepted by Rangana Herath (29), Nuwan Pradeep (60), Prasanna Jayawardene (104). He also survived a stumping chance when on 233.
Brief scores: New Zealand 221 and 524 for 5 decl (Kane Williamson 242 n o, BJ Watling 142 n o); Sri Lanka 356 and 45 for 1. Match to continue.
AFP