By BV Swagath
New Zealand have gained the initiative in the Second and Final Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo by stumps on the second day. The tourists have reduced Sri Lanka to 43 for 3 in 17 overs in a short passage of play in the evening session which was cut short by bad light. This was after New Zealand had posted a healthy first innings total of 412.
The Kiwis were nicely placed at 223 for 2 when play started this morning. 22-year-old Kane Williamson went onto score his 3rd Test century while Skipper Ross Taylor got his 8th hundred. Both the right handers were dismissed by Rangana Herath. Williamson finished with 135 (from 305 balls with 12 fours) and Ross Taylor scored 142 (from 306 balls with 11 fours). Daniel Flynn complemented their efforts with his 53 (from 135 balls). For the Lankans, Rangana Herath claimed figures of 6 for 103 in 49 overs.
The Lankans in their first innings have lost three big wickets of Dilshan, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Tim Southee took two of those wickets and the other one went to left-armer Trent Boult.
