McCullum goes as Black Caps eke out lead

Brendon McCullum was unable to repeat his heroics at the Basin Reserve from a year ago as New Zealand slipped further into the mire on day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

McCullum departed in the second session for 22 – 280 runs shy of his record-breaking innings to save the Test against India at the same ground last February.

James Neesham, a century-maker in that Test, also fell as the hosts sunk to 5-183 at tea – a lead of just 48.

It was left to Kane Williamson to hold the innings together and he was unbeaten on 48 at the break with BJ Watling on 14.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Williamson who offered a sharp caught-bowled chance to Rangana Herath when the lead was just one.

Starting the day on 0-22, still 113 runs behind Sri Lanka on the first innings, New Zealand got to 75 before Hamish Rutherford, who had been unsettled by a short one ball before, slashed a cut to deep third man to give Nuwan Pradeep the first of his three wickets.

It came as Sri Lanka, frustrated by the lack of sideways movement, had gone down to just a solitary slip.

Rutherford, who departed for 40, had enjoyed something of a let-off in just the second over of the day. He gloved a catch behind but umpire Steve Davis ruled, incorrectly as replays showed, that Dhammika Prasad had overstepped.

The stand between Rutherford and opening partner Tom Latham was their best effort in their seven innings to date at the top of the order.

While Rutherford was less than convincing, Latham looked far more assured and it came as a surprise when he chased a wide one from Pradeep 13 balls later when on 35.

When Ross Taylor departed playing the wrong line to left-arm spinner Herath without scoring the hosts had lost three wickets in 30 balls to slide to 3-79 – still 56 runs shy of making the visitors bat again.

McCullum and Williamson went to lunch without further drama, but Prasad hurried one past the New Zealand captain’s bat, which despite being reviewed, was clattering into his middle and leg stumps.

Pradeep, who did not play in the eight-wicket loss in Christchurch, showed his wicket-taking ability again to follow his Test-best 4-63 in the first innings to claim Neesham lbw on review after Davis had originally turned down the appeal.

The 28-year-old began his ninth Test with a bowling average close to 73 and had figures of 3-40 at the interval.

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