Karunaratne celebrates after scoring his maiden Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored a career-best 152 to keep New Zealand at bay on the third day of the first Test in Christchurch.

Karunaratne was well supported by Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews, who made an unbeaten 53.

Starting out the day on 84/0, Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva only added one run to their 84-run partnership, during which Karunaratne brought up his half-century, before Silva was caught behind off the bowling of Tim Southee for 33.

Kumar Sangakkara only made one run before he was caught behind off the bowling of Trent Boult.

Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne stabilised the innings with an 87-run partnership, during which Karunaratne registered his maiden Test century, before Thirimanne was caught behind off the bowling of James Neesham for 25.

Karunaratne and Mathews kept the runs flowing with a 96-run partnership, during which Karunaratne surpassed 150 runs and Mathews recorded his half-century, before Karunaratne was clean bowled by Boult.

Karunaratne’s career-best knock of 152 came off 363 balls and included 17 boundaries.

Niroshan Dickwella failed to have an impact with the bat as he was caught by Neesham at third slip off the bowling of Boult.

Mathews and debutant Tharindu Kaushal put together an unbeaten six-run partnership before stumps was called.

Mathews finished on 53 off 108 balls, which included six boundaries and a six, while Kaushal remained undefeated on five off 12 deliveries, which included one boundary.

Mathews hit six boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 53

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Boult was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Neesham and Southee chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Sri Lanka ended day three on 293/5 and will continue batting tomorrow at 11:00 local time or 22:00 GMT (previous day).