Sri Lanka ahead but Latham still believes

New Zealand opening batsman Tom Latham still believes that his side can win the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Wellington, despite only having a lead of 118 runs with five second innings wickets remaining.
New Zealand are 253 for five, with Kane Williamson and BJ Watling rescuing the hosts with an unbeaten stand of 94, after the Black Caps found themselves in trouble at 159 for five.
With two days of the Test still remaining, Latham is confident that his side can keep going with the fight back and claim a victory to clinch the series 2-0.
He said: "We have certainly got fighting characteristics throughout the side and we're looking forward to tomorrow. I think Kane and BJ are the perfect guys to be out there at the moment.
"They have shown how determined they are and we have shown when we have been in these situations before that we can get through."
When asked about a reasonable target that his bowlers could defend, Latham said a score of around 200 could be enough as the pitch will be hard to bat on on the last two days.
He continued: "I think the score charts suggests 200 is a reasonably tough chase on the last day. Kane and BJ have done a top job and if they can keep going then it will be put us in a good position.
"It's a nice wicket. It's only going to get harder. The ball will turn a bit more in the next couple of days so whatever we get, hopefully we can defend it (and) I think there is always a possibility of winning.
"You have seen how quickly things can happen out there… (so) whatever runs we get on the board, we'll give it a good crack at defending it."
Latest
-
News
Paul Collingwood expects James Anderson and Stuart Broad to excel in the Ashes
Anderson and Broad’s combined age at the start of that series will be 74.
-
News
New Zealand stars Devon Conway and Martin Guptill move up in T20I Rankings
Stoinis, Southee, Santner and Sodhi among others to advance in men’s weekly update after first two matches of New Zealand-Australia series.
-
News
England axing tough to take but it was ‘best option’, admits Dom Bess
Bess is set to return to the team for the fourth Test against India
-
News
Tom Banton tests positive for coronavirus at the Pakistan Super League
The England and Somerset batsman is isolating in Pakistan.
-
News
Virat Kohli refuses to accept pitch is to blame for England’s two-day defeat
Kohli believes poor batting by both sides resulted in the game being over inside two days.
-
News
Joe Root wants England to free themselves from fear in fourth Test against India
The tourists will be hoping to level the series at 2-2 when they start the final match in Ahmedabad.
-
News
Zak Crawley vows England will be more proactive in battle against India’s spin
Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel have run riot in helpful conditions.
-
News
Dale Steyn heaps praise on Pakistan trio, prefers PSL over IPL
Record South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is full of praise for Pakistan players Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Babar Azam.
-
News
Chris Gayle sets sights on third T20 World Cup title
West Indies veteran Chris Gayle has set his sights on winning a third T20 World Cup when he makes his return to international cricket.