Galle, Aug. 20: Resolute batting by New Zealand’s eighth-wicket pair of Jesse Ryder and Daniel Vettori denied Sri Lanka a follow-on in the first Test here on Thursday.

The duo, who came together with the Black Caps still needing 30 runs to avoid the follow-on in the rain-hit Test, put on a defiant stand of 36 after tea on the third day.

Ryder was dismissed for 42, but skipper Vettori returned unbeaten on 33 as New Zealand ended the day at 281/8, still 171 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 452.

Tailender Iain O’Brien was the other batsman at the crease on three.

Sri Lanka have two days, weather permitting, to force a win at the Galle International Stadium on a wearing wicket that has already started to assist the spinners.

"The wicket is very slow, but it will be interesting if we can set New Zealand about 300-325 runs on the last day," said the home team’s star spinner and world bowling record holder, Muttiah Muralitharan.

The Black Caps, led by a gutsy 69 from left-handed opener Tim McIntosh, were sitting pretty at 180/3 when three wickets fell for 15 runs in the post-lunch session.

The collapse was triggered by two wickets from left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara, who accounted for Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum.

— AFP