Southee Stirs Kiwis On Topsy-Turvy Day

A superb all-round performance from Tim Southee dragged New Zealand back into the second Test match against Sri Lanka at Christchurch.

Suranga Lakmal had earlier taken career-best figures of five for 74 to put the tourists in command with the hosts teetering on 64-6 at Hagley Oval.

But Southee counter-attacked by blasting 68 from 65 balls in a 108-run partnership with wicketkeeper BJ Watling (46) to help the Kiwis muster a respectable 178 all out.

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The 30-year-old’s innings was all about big hits as he thumped six fours and three sixes to change the momentum of the match.

He fell to a brilliant, one-handed leaping catch by Danushka Gunathilaka at short mid-wicket, and that sparked another collapse with the last three wickets adding just six runs.

Southee then took the first three Sri Lankan wickets to reduce them to 21 for three inside 10 overs.
The second victim — Dinesh Chandimal for six — moved him to 234 Test wickets and third on New Zealand’s all-time list.

First-Test centurion Angelo Mathews was on 27 with Roshen Silva (15) as the visitors were 88 for four at stumps.