NZ need 3 more wickets to beat dogged Sri Lanka, 168-7, in 2nd test

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Despite a fighting half century by Angelo Mathews, New Zealand was inching towards a memorable win against Sri Lanka in the second test at P. Sara Oval on Thursday.

Sri Lanka was 168-7 at tea, 195 runs away from its own improbable win, and trying to hold on for a draw to win the two-test series.

After Sri Lanka resumed the day on 47-4, the New Zealanders picked up three more Sri Lanka wickets, but it was all hard work against some obdurate batting by Mathews.

New Zealand dismissed Thilan Samaraweera for 7 in the morning session while two wickets fell in the afternoon.

Mathews and wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene had added 56 for the sixth wicket until Jayawardene became the first test wicket of debutant spinner Todd Astle as he was caught behind for 29.

Soon after, Trent Boult accounted for Suraj Randiv when he was caught by Martin Guptill at second slip for a duck.

Mathews, the vice captain, was steady and had batted for close to five hours when tea was taken. He was unbeaten on 63 having faced 211 deliveries and hit six fours and one six.

The unbroken eighth-wicket stand between Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekara was worth 46.

04:51ET 29-11-12