Pains
The test is at present out of New Zealand’s hands. The lead, with the Sri Lankan second innings approaching 100 only 1 wicket down, is about 250. Sri Lanka could declare at any time and expect to win. It really doesn’t matter what New Zealand do. If they were to dismiss the last 9 batsmen for as many runs, all they have done is make Sangakkara’s decision about when to finish the innings for him. If they slow the Sri Lankan batsmen down to a crawl, they’ll just declare a bit later in the day, still leaving them plenty of time to take 10 New Zealand wickets (several of them apparently puking their guts out). Well okay, maybe factoring the weather in makes restricting the run rate worthwhile, but with Dilshan and Sangakkara at the crease, that’s going to be hard work.
I get very nervous watching a lead being built in the third innings. When the lead gets to 30 I start thinking “there’s a wicket’s worth of runs”. When the lead get up over 100 you really want to be able to see the end in sight somewhere. But when the lead starts at 150, each run pushes the target towards dangerous territory, and then beyond. Each run is a little pain, a little pin prick.
