‘We’ve received the quick bowlers to use the circumstances’ – Angelo Mathews

In the primary innings, Sri Lanka’s seamers had had New Zealand at 188 for six, earlier than an excellent Daryl Mitchell hundred, and lower-order hitting from Matt Henry pushed the hosts right into a slender lead.

“We’ve got the fast bowlers to exploit the conditions,” Mathews stated after play. “We’ve got some fantastic fast bowlers in the group, and we have the belief that if the batters get the runs on the board, the fast bowlers will definitely come into play, with the conditions. They’ve done exactly that.

“We’ve given ourselves a fantastic likelihood to win the Test match. We have to show up tomorrow and simply go for it. The recreation is evenly poised. Latham and Williamson – everyone knows they’re world class. We have to strike early to get into the sport. If we will open one finish, we will put a number of strain on the Kiwis.”

The surface did not appear especially treacherous on day four – though there was still some movement off the seam for the quicks. The Hagley Oval surface has in the past tended to get lower and slower as a match goes on, though spinners have been effective at this venue late in the game as well.

“You cannot predict a wicket 100%, however there was variable bounce in the present day,” Mathews said. “But hoping he [Prabath Jayasuriya] can hit the tough spots. Especially to the left-hander there is a huge tough on both facet. The spinner additionally would possibly come into play – you by no means know.”

His own 115 off 235 balls, which was his 14th Test ton and his second in successive tours of New Zealand, Mathews put down to experience. It was a vital innings, during which he forged a 105-run partnership with Dinesh Chandimal, then put on 60 alongside Dhananjaya de Silva.

Although in the first innings Sri Lanka rattled along at almost four an over, they were prevented from scoring freely for much of day four, by some disciplined New Zealand bowling.

Scoring was especially difficult before lunch, when New Zealand sent down 28 overs and conceded just 67 (a run rate of 2.39).

“You come set to play sure pictures as a result of they are not giving something away,” Mathews said. “You sort of know what you get from every bowler, so that you sort of mentally plan it out. The first session they gave nothing away in any respect. We needed to preserve preventing for sngles and twos – overlook concerning the fours. We all know [Tim] Southee is a world-class bowler, and irrespective of how drained he’s he lands it on the spot. Matt Henry bowled extraordinarily effectively, in addition to [Blair] Tickner although he is younger and new to the Test enviornment, he bowled with a number of fuel. We knew what’s coming with every bowler, and we needed to plan accordingly.”

“The captain and the coach play a significant half within the crew’s atmosphere. And us seniors will again it up with them. Chris Silverwood and his help employees and the captain has carried out a improbable job in creating a fantastic atmosphere, to play cricket with a number of freedom. That’s what you need – to place every thing apart, and go on the market and luxuriate in yourselves, which we’re completely doing.”