20 Dec 2015

Black Caps behind but still in the fight

5:24 am on 20 December 2015

The Black Caps will be hoping their tail wags and their bowlers fire as they look to claw their way back into the second cricket Test against Sri Lanka in Hamilton.

Heading into day three the the tourists have New Zealand teetering on 232 for nine - the Black Caps are 60 runs behind the Sri Lankans' first innings total of 292.

See how day two unfolded here

Dushmantha Chameera celebrates with Kusal Mendis at Seddon Park in Hamilton, New Zealand. Saturday 19 December 2015. Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Dushmantha Chameera celebrates with Kusal Mendis Photo: Photosport

Only opening batsman Martin Guptill's 50 and all-rounder Mitchell Santner's patient and much-needed 38 overly troubled the scorers on day two.

Mitchell Santner batting on day two against Sri Lanka at Seddon Park. Saturday 19 December 2015. Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Mitchell Santner batting on day two against Sri Lanka at Seddon Park Photo: Photosport

New Zealand wickets tumbled on the second afternoon at Seddon Park, as the hosts staggered to tea on 133 for five, following a top order batting collapse.

The Black Caps' top order fell in just 25 balls.

They were 61 for none at lunch before four wickets fell in quick succession, with Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Guptill and Ross Taylor all departing for a mere eight runs.

Opening batsman Latham was caught in the slips for 28, followed by first drop Kane Williamson at deep square leg for one, both off the bowling of Dushmantha Chameera.

Then the other opener Guptill was caught in the slips the next ball after he reached his 50, off Herath.

Taylor was caught behind for a duck shortly afterwards, becoming Chameera's third scalp of the afternoon.

Brendon McCullum then survived a catch on a no-ball, but the captain was quickly sent packing after that just before the tea break, caught at silly point for 18 off the bowling of Rangana Herath.

Brendon McCullum hooks and is caught by Sri Lanka at Seddon Park. Saturday 19 December 2015. Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Brendon McCullum hooks and is caught by Sri Lanka at Seddon Park Photo: Photosport

The hosts snapped up the final three wickets on the second morning, sparked by the loss of the Sri Lanka skipper.

Angelo Mathews, who resumed on 63 and was the key to his team's bid to push past 300, brought up 4,000 Test runs with a single off Tim Southee from the second delivery of the day before being well caught for 77 by third slip Tom Latham off the same bowler.

Suranga Lakmal was then removed for four, caught in the field by Kane Williamson off the bowling of Neil Wagner.

The Black Caps celebrate the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne on day 1 of the 2nd cricket Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Hamilton, Friday 18 December 2015. Copyright photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

The Black Caps celebrate the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne Photo: Photosport

Play began half an hour early at 10am to make up for the opening day's early finish, with fine, sunny weather in Hamilton.

Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum won the toss and chose to bowl at Seddon Park

Tim Southee appeals for a wicket on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka

Tim Southee appeals for a wicket on day one of the second Test against Sri Lanka Photo: Photosport

New Zealand won the first match of the two-Test series by 122 runs.

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