Mitchell scored 57 for New Zealand, but they lost 5 wickets for just 35 runs before Phillips helped the last-wicket partnership add 36 more runs.
Sri Lanka were just three runs behind New Zealand after starting their second innings and losing Pathum Nissanka’s wicket. Lunch was called on the third day of the match in Galle. Dimuth Karunaratne looked strong, scoring 23 runs of Sri Lanka’s 32 in the 40 minutes after New Zealand had been bowled out for 340 earlier in the morning.
New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke was the most dangerous bowler. He got sharp bounce and movement off the pitch. His hard work paid off when Tim Southee took a brilliant one-handed catch at second slip, sending Nissanka back for just 2 runs.
O’Rourke also troubled Karunaratne, getting an edge that didn’t carry to slip, and almost got him out lbw just before lunch. But Karunaratne was saved by an inside edge.
Most of the excitement happened in the first hour, with both teams having good moments in a back-and-forth match. Sri Lanka grabbed a few quick wickets, but Glenn Phillips fought back for New Zealand with a counter-attack.
New Zealand finished their first innings with a lead of 35 runs. Prabath Jayasuriya was in top form, taking 4 wickets for 136 runs, while Ramesh Mendis also did well, taking 3 wickets for 101 runs.
Sri Lanka would have been happy with the result after New Zealand started the day 50 runs behind with six wickets still in hand. However, New Zealand might have felt slightly disappointed for giving away too many wickets.
New Zealand would be thankful for their 35-run lead after losing five wickets for just 50 runs in the first hour.
Tom Blundell was the first to go, caught off an attempted reverse sweep. Sri Lanka bowled well, sticking to good lines and lengths, making the New Zealand batters take risks.
Daryl Mitchell was in great form, hitting a big shot down the ground off Lahiru Kumara. His footwork was sharp, following the same aggressive approach that worked well for New Zealand on day two.
But a bad decision cost New Zealand. Phillips called for a risky single, and Mitchell, on 57, was just too slow. He was run out by inches. If Mitchell had stayed, Sri Lanka might have faced a much bigger deficit, but his dismissal gave Sri Lanka a chance.
With the second new ball, Mitchell Santner was out quickly, edging a ball from Jayasuriya. Tim Southee didn’t last long either, as Jayasuriya bowled him with a good-length ball that hit the off stump. Ramesh Mendis then trapped Ajaz Patel lbw with an arm ball, leaving New Zealand at nine wickets down and still one run behind Sri Lanka’s total.
Phillips was then given out lbw to Jayasuriya, but the decision was overturned after a review showed the ball was missing leg stump. Phillips used this lucky break to add 35 more runs in quick time, hitting some big sixes down the ground off Jayasuriya.
Sri Lanka were forced to focus on bowling to No. 11 Will O’Rourke for the last two balls of each over. Finally, one of these deliveries did the trick, with O’Rourke being bowled by Jayasuriya. Phillips was left not out on 49 from 48 balls as New Zealand finished with a total of 340.
