New Zealand’s batting woes continued on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka, despite valiant efforts from Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell. The visitors resumed on 249 for 5, trailing by 353 runs, but lost three wickets in the first session to slip further behind.
Phillips and Blundell, who had both scored half-centuries overnight, added 64 runs for the sixth wicket before Peiris dismissed them both. Phillips was caught at long-on for 78, while Blundell was trapped lbw for 60.
Mitchell Santner then joined forces with Phillips to put on another 64 runs for the seventh wicket. Santner struck 48 not out off 56 balls, including two sixes and a four.
However, New Zealand’s lower order could not provide the necessary support, and they were eventually bowled out for 335, still 179 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 602 for 5 declared.
Peiris was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with figures of 5 for 155. He was ably supported by Prabath Jayasuriya, who took 3 for 77.
New Zealand now face an uphill battle to save the match. They need to bat out the remaining two days without losing any further wickets, a task that looks increasingly unlikely given their fragile batting lineup.
