New Zealand who have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, ended the second day at Basin Reserve with a 113-run deficit, after Kumar Sangakkara had changed the game with a super 203 to give Sri Lanka a 135-run lead.
New Zealand will have a fight to ensure they get back into the second test against Sri Lanka on Monday, with the wicket 'aiding a recovery', according to wicket-keeper BJ Watling.
The hosts, who have a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, ended the second day at Basin Reserve with a 113-run deficit, after Kumar Sangakkara changed the game with a superb 203 to give Sri Lanka a 135-run lead.
New Zealand's openers Tom Latham (nine) and Hamish Rutherford (12) saw them through to 22 without loss at close and will now need to take a leaf out of Sangakkara's book to further reduce that deficit.
"Not an ideal position now so we have a bit of work to do and show a bit of fight in day three," Watling told reporters.
"It's a big first session, hopefully the openers can get through and start to eke away at that lead.
"But it is getting a bit easier to bat and hopefully days three and four are good batting days and we can cash in," added Watling.
Also Read: New Zealand bowled out for 221 in second test against Sri Lanka
Watling can take inspiration from Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal, who strode to the wicket on Sunday with Sri Lanka on 78 for five, and after some tentative and nervous moments, negated any advantage New Zealand had in the game. Sangakkara worked the ball all around the sun-drenched Basin Reserve, punching it into gaps and dispatching short balls aerially behind square on both sides of the wicket.
He also frustrated New Zealand bowlers by dominating the strike with the tail, contributing 110 of 148 runs in three partnerships as the visitors built their lead, before a sensational one-handed diving catch by Trent Boult at point ended his innings on 203.
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"He played a hell of a knock," Watling said.
"We weren't quite as disciplined as we would have liked to be and obviously Kumar took advantage of that and we saw how good he is.
"He gapped the ball well, waited for the loose balls and obviously with the tail he faced most of the balls so we couldn't bowl enough at the tail enders.
"It was a demonstration of how to play from a world class player," signed off Watling
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