Williamson keeps Black Caps in the hunt

New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson was the backbone of his side's knock on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka, driving his side to 253 for five and a hundred-plus lead in Wellington.
Williamson was on 80 at the close, batting in his side's second innings, and had stood fast while three wickets fell with the score in the 70s. BJ Watling was at the other end, on 48.
The day began with the Kiwis on 22 for none, having endured a double century from Kumar Sangakkara the day before. As such, Sri Lanka had a healthy lead before the knock even began, and Angelo Mathews will be disappointed at his side's efforts.
Sri Lanka were below par in the field for much of the day, especially their catching on the boundaries, and Williamson was dropped twice, his score on 30 and 60. They also failed to take advantage of 79/3 and 159/5.
But the opening stand between Hamish Rutherford and Tom Latham was a decent one, as they put on 75 together. Rutherford was the first to fall, for 40 to Nuwan Pradeep, and then the paceman also removed Latham in his next over, for 35.
Ross Taylor was out a run later for a duck, bowled by Rangana Herath, leaving Williamson to bat with skipper Brendon McCullum and then Jimmy Neesham. Those two made 22 and 19 respectively and at tea the hosts were struggling on 183 for five.
The evening session was all about consolidation for the batting pair, and they lost no further wickets. Watling had faced 140 balls for his 48 by the close, while Williamson's 80 had used up 200 deliveries.
Latest
-
News
Sam Curran’s century puts Surrey in complete control against Kent
Curran’s 126 helped Surrey rack up four centuries in the same championship innings for only the second time in their history.
-
England
England’s Kate Cross hails Marizanne Kapp’s ‘outstanding’ 150 for South Africa
Kapp came to the crease with South Africa 45 for four and steered her side out of trouble with a maiden Test century.
-
England
Marizanne Kapp steers South Africa out of trouble after England’s flying start
Kapp hit 150 from 213 deliveries as England ushered in a new era with four debutants, three taking their maiden Test wickets.
-
England
Marizanne Kapp century rescues South Africa after England make flying start
Kapp made 150 to help the tourists recover from 45 for four.
-
England
Style not stats key to breaking into rejuvenated England team, says Ben Stokes
New captain Stokes has led England to a 3-0 Test series win over New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow brilliance and fast finishes – The stats behind England’s new era
The hosts turned on the style in their 3-0 series win over New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root lead England to whitewash victory over New Zealand
England needed just 15.2 overs to win.
-
England
Eoin Morgan: International career with England in pictures
England white ball captain Eoin Morgan is set to announce his retirement from international cricket.
-
England
Eoin Morgan: The key moments in the reign of England captain
Morgan has played a record 248 one-day internationals.
-
England
England captain Eoin Morgan set to announce international retirement on Tuesday
The 35-year-old led England to the 2019 World Cup title.