New Zealand battle for meaningful lead

Jan 05, 2015

Hamish Rutherford got off to another start, adding 75 for the first wicket with Tom Latham to eat into Sri Lanka's lead•Getty Images

Ross Taylor was beaten in flight and was bowled by Rangana Herath. Sri Lanka had taken three wickets for four runs•Getty Images

The Sri Lankans had more reasons to celebrate when Pradeep had Jimmy Neesham lbw with the score on 159. New Zealand were only 24 ahead with five wickets left•Getty Images

Nuwan Pradeep fought back for the visitors, dismissing the New Zealand openers in successive overs•Getty Images

Dhammika Prasad broke a promising partnership for New Zealand on 43 when he pinned Brendon McCullum lbw•AFP

BJ Watling was a steady partner to Williamson and together they set about giving New Zealand a chance of posting a testing target. Watling ended the third day 48 not out•AFP

Kane Williamson held the innings together by scoring his second 50-plus score of the match•Getty Images

Williamson was unbeaten on 80, and his unbroken stand of 94 with Watling had given New Zealand a lead of 118 with five wickets in hand•Getty Images