1st TEST : Lanka Tigers vs Kiwis

On day four in Wellington, facing a monumental first-innings deficit, and in what seemed like a hopeless match situation, Kusal Mendis and Angelo Mathews went to the trenches. They absorbed New Zealand's many attacks. They delivered a few glancing blows of their own. They made a hundred apiece, and for only the 22nd time in the history of Test cricket, they batted out an entire day without losing a wicket.

Lahiru Kumara, the Sri Lanka fast bowler, has been fined 15% of his match fee and been handed a demerit point for a Level 1 breach of the ICC's code of conduct. He was found to have violated Article 2.3, which relates to "use of an audible obscenity during an international match".

The on-field umpires, Rod Tucker and Michael Gough, heard him utter the obscenity when Tom Latham edged him to the boundary in the 96th over of New Zealand's innings. It was also picked up by the stump mic.

Kumara admitted to the offence and the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson, which meant there was no need for a hearing.

Their partnership - 577 balls in - is worth 246. It is easily Sri Lanka's best against New Zealand, and has allowed the visitors to go into the fifth day of an intriguing Test with a fighting chance of securing a draw. They are still 37 runs away from making New Zealand bat again, but will be buoyed no doubt by the weather forecast, which suggests rain will arrive around mid-day, if not before.