Sri Lanka's hard grind

Dec 16, 2018

Tim Southee dismissed Lahiru Kumara for his sixth wicket as Sri Lanka folded for 282 in their first innings•Getty Images

Tom Latham hardly strayed from the textbook as he buckled down for the long haul•Getty Images

With Latham making for a study in contrast, the duo put on 162 for the second wicket•Getty Images

But it was Latham who took the batting honours, compiling his seventh Test ton and staying unbeaten on 121•Associated Press

Jeet Raval launched New Zealand's confident reply with a stroke-filled 43•Getty Images

Kumara broke through with the last ball of the morning, getting Raval to nick behind to a short ball•Getty Images

Sri Lanka's bowlers toiled long and hard without much reward in conditions made for batting•Getty Images

Kane Williamson took the attack to Sri Lanka, unfurling an array of delightful strokes•Getty Images

Ross Taylor made a fifty too, going past Brendon McCullum to become NZ's second-highest run-getter in Tests•Getty Images