In Galle, Sri Lanka, the national team’s unbeaten streak of four wins against New Zealand faced a challenge as the Kiwis secured a 35-run lead after the first innings of the first test. At lunch on the third day, Sri Lanka was 32 for one, trailing by three runs with nine wickets in hand.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who struggled with his accuracy on Day 2, found his form on Friday, taking four wickets. He received solid support from off-spinner Ramesh Mendis, who claimed three wickets as New Zealand was dismissed for 340 in their first innings.

Daryl Mitchell made a valuable half-century but was run out, while Glenn Philips entertained the crowd with a brisk 49 off 48 balls, including hitting five sixes, some going out of the ground.

Before lunch, Sri Lanka had to survive a half-hour, during which they lost Pathum Nissanka to a brilliant catch by Tim Southee off William O’Rourke, who took his sixth wicket of the match. The tall fast bowler had also taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

New Zealand’s warm-up test against Afghanistan in India last week was abandoned due to rain. Sri Lanka is coming off a recent series in England, where the hosts won 2-1.

The two teams will face off in a second test in Galle starting on September 26.