WELLINGTON: A world record sixth-wicket partnership of 365 by Kane Williamson and BJ Watling, who both posted career bests, slammed the door on Sri Lanka in the second Test in Wellington yesterday.
Williamson’s unbeaten 242, with Watling not out 142, rescued New Zealand from a deep hole and carried them to 524-5 declared in their second innings.
Sri Lanka were left facing a 390-run final-day target on a ground where the record for a successful fourth innings chase is 277-3 set by Pakistan 11 years ago.
At stumps they were 45-1 with Kaushal Silva on 20 and Dhammika Prasad on one.
Dimuth Karunaratne was out for 17 four overs before the close, the only dismissal of the day.
Williamson and Watling came together as New Zealand’s last recognised batsmen with the score on 159-5, a perilous 24-run lead. They methodically ground the Sri Lankan bowlers into submission over the following eight hours. Sri Lanka need a further 345 on the final day to win.
Sri Lanka squandered several opportunities to break the partnership and regain control, and paid a heavy price for sloppy fielding. Williamson’s unbeaten 242, the product of more than 10 hours at the crease, gave the 24-year-old his ninth Test century and the seventh highest score by a New Zealander. After cautiously steering New Zealand into a commanding position, Williamson opened up towards the end of the innings, scoring 52 of the 79 runs added in the 15 overs before the declaration.
In his marathon innings he faced 438 deliveries and scored 18 fours, including a boundary to midwicket when he danced down the wicket to bring up his maiden 200 off Rangana Herath.
While Williamson steered New Zealand to safety, Watling proved a sound ally at the other end as he brought up his fourth Test century.
He had nine fours and a six in his 142. His previous best was 124 in his match-saving knock with McCullum against India.
Herath, the leading bowler in the world last year with 60 wickets at 24.85, finished with figures of one for 154.
Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler Pradeep had figures of three for 117 after being three for 32 before Watling went to the middle.AFP
