Mathews ton inspires Lanka against NZ

Agency :
A classy century from Angelo Mathews and the early wicket of Devon Conway kept Sri Lanka’s World Championship hopes alive in the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday.
With a masterful 115 from nearly six hours in the middle, Mathews rescued Sri Lanka from a tight spot and led the tourists to a second innings 302.
It set New Zealand a target of 285, and by stumps, after 17 overs, they were 28 for one with Conway out for five. Tom Latham was not out 11 with Kane Williamson on seven with New Zealand requiring 257 on the final day. The highest fourth-innings score at Hagley Oval is 256 for eight in a drawn Test.
Sri Lanka need another nine wickets on the final day but their chances could be dashed by rain, forecast for the morning. While New Zealand have only pride at stake Sri Lanka, playing their first Test in seven months, are chasing their ticket to the World Test Championship final against Australia.
But they must win in Christchurch as well as the second Test in Wellington.
They also need Australia to win or draw their current fourth Test against India.
There was jubilation in the Sri Lankan camp when Kasun Rajitha had Conway caught and bowled for five, and similar scenes when he thought he had Williamson lbw without scoring.