NZ vs SL: Daryl Mitchell hands New Zealand 1st innings lead with heroic 102 in 1st Test

Christchurch, Mar 11 (AP) Daryl Mitchell rallied tail with a superb century and Matt Henry blasted 72 from 75 balls as New Zealand achieved an improbable first-innings lead over Sri Lanka on Saturday on third day of first cricket Test.

Led by Mitchell and Henry with help from inimitable Neil Wagner, New Zealand eked out a lead of 18. At stumps Sri Lanka was 83-3, a lead of 65 with Angelo Maws 20 t out.

New Zealand began day at 162-5, 193 runs behind Sri Lanka with Mitchell on 40 left to do his best with tailenders.

re was expectation at Hagley Park that New Zealand had any chance of doing more than paring back deficit that existed after Sri Lanka's exceptional first innings of 355.

Mitchell's overnight partner Michael Bracewell fell at end of a sedate first hour but captain Tim Soue gave an indication that tail was going to go down fighting when he struck 25 from 20 balls. Even when he was out, New Zealand 120 behind.

Mitchell continued to play steadying hand with a half century in three hours and a century — his fifth and first against Sri Lanka — from 187 balls.

“It's always nice to get a hundred for your country and to do it in a situation in which we needed it was cool,” Mitchell said. “It was nice to put a team score on board and for boys to bowl way y did tonight was awesome.” Mitchell's solidity gave license to or New Zealanders to hit out and Henry took full advant. After a quiet beginning he went on attack and struck 72 — his fifth half century — from 75 balls.

Henry blasted 10 fours and three sixes and after Mitchell was out for 102, Wagner joined in and stuck three more sixes. With each hefty blow deficit fell: in of four balls at end of 102nd over and start of 103rd, Henry and Wagner hit three sixes and a four. deficit which had been 54 reduced with those shots to 32.

Ar six from Wagner and New Zealand trailed by 20 n in 105th over, Henry struck 4, 4, 4, 6 and 4 from bowling of Kasun Rajitha and New Zealand hit front.

Henry was finally out, bowled by Asitha Fernando after having played a massive role for a New Zealand team which never seems to kw when it is down.

Its extraordinary one-run victory over England after following on in its previous test was ultimate demonstration of that fact. But here again, New Zealand seemed absolutely on back foot with little chance of anything more than a substantial first-innings deficit.

Its motto might be tail never fails. Once again last five batsmen made up for shortcomings of top order which too often is brittle and inconsistent.

value of second half of New Zealand order is obvious: Mitchell avers 55 in tests, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell 45, Michael Bracewell and Henry in 20s, Tim Soue 16 with six half centuries, Wagner 14.

four seamers New Zealand has played in match have five centuries and 18 half centuries among m.

Sri Lanka lost three wickets before stumps: Oshada Fernando (28), Dimuth Karunaratne (17) and Kusal Mendis (14) while Blair Tickner took all three wickets and has 3-28. Wagner limped from field before end with an apparent ankle injury. AP AM AM AM