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Henry, Latham keep New Zealand alive
A Matt Henry 7-fer and a fighting half-century from Tom Latham has kept New Zealand alive in the second Test against Australia in Christchurch as they went into stumps with a lead of 40. The visitors are still slightly ahead in the contest but things could have been far worse for New Zealand if not for an improved showing on the second day.
Australia began the day in positive fashion as overnight batters Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan Lyon dealt in boundaries. While Labuschagne went past fifty, Lyon survived a dropped chance and made the hosts pay by making 20 before Henry managed to find the outside edge. Labuschagne then cut Scott Kuggeleijn for a boundary to help Australia take the lead but the hosts kept pegging them back. Henry completed his five-fer by trapping Mitchell Marsh for a duck before the golden arm of Glenn Phillips saw the back of Alex Carey.
Mitchell Starc then frustrated the home side with a stubborn little partnership with Labuschagne but just before the Tea break, New Zealand struck. Once again, it was Phillips who made things happen. This time though, it was on the field with an extraordinary one-handed diving catch to get rid of Labuschagne for 90. Post resumption, Henry removed both Starc and Pat Cummins after they had made some vital contributions to drag the lead to 94.
Under pressure, New Zealand suffered an early jolt with the bat. Starc bowled a delivery that just went with the angle whereas Will Young anticipated it to come back, only to edge it behind. However, after the early wicket, New Zealand recovered very well on the back of a century stand between Kane Williamson and Latham. Williamson, who was cautious to begin with, hit three boundaries off Starc to force a bowling change. It didn’t affect the New Zealand no.3 as Pat Cummins was also welcomed to the attack with two boundaries in the same over.
Latham, who was subdued for the major part of his stay, took on Lyon for a couple of boundaries but New Zealand’s run rate largely hovered just over two-runs-per-over. The two batters then brought up the highest partnership of the series for New Zealand and in the process, put their side in the lead. Williamson went past 50 in his 100th Test but his hopes of batting through the day was cut short by Cummins who finally ended the century stand. But with Latham firm at one end and plenty of batting to come, the hosts will be hopeful of setting a fighting target.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 162 and 134/2 (Tom Latham 65*, Kane Williamson 51) lead Australia 256 (Marnus Labuschagne 90; Matt Henry 7/67) by 40 runs
Latest News
Heat Index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 March 2026, valid for 29March 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Rumesh Tharanga created history with yet another world leading throw that shattered his own national javelin record at the Champions Track and Field event at Diyagama on Saturday.
The massive 89.37 metres throw, when recognized by World Athletics is set to become the fourth furthest throw in the history of the Asian region.
Despite little competion from his rivals, Tharanga rose like a champion of an entirely different league when he delivered the record breaking feat in his final attempt.
Tharanga had a world leading mark of 83.07 metres for the year coming into this meet. His national record of 86.50 metres was from August 2025. (RF)
Three people have died after a helicopter crashed off the Hawaiian island of Kauai, police said.
The helicopter was carrying one pilot and four passengers, police said in a statement. Two survivors were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Police said the helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, a company whose website advertises “a doors-off thrill seekers adventure tour” of the picturesque island’s waterfalls, canyons, and beaches.
The US Coast Guard said the helicopter crash-landed about 100 yards off Kalalau beach. Authorities have not yet identified the victims.
Police said they responded to an alert of the crash at around 15:45 local time (01:45 GMT), along with the Coast Guard and fire department.
Kauai’s Mayor Derek Kawakami praised the recovery effort, telling local media: “Here on Kaua’i, whenever somebody puts their feet on our soil, they are one of ours.
“We treat them like one of ours, they are a part of our family, and our first responders respond with that spirit in mind.”
Andrew Williams, search and rescue mission co-ordinator for the Coast Guard in Honolulu, said: “We are greatly saddened by the loss of three lives in this helicopter crash and thinking of those individuals’ families and friends.”
Helicopter tours are a popular way for visitors to tour the island, which is where the blockbuster film Jurassic Park was shot.
Airborne Aviation’s 50-minute tour of the island offered a maximum of four passengers and costs $348 (£262) per passenger, according to its website.
BBC News has contacted Airborne Aviation for comment.
The incident is the latest fatal crash in Kauai involving a tour helicopter. Three people were killed when a helicopter operated by a different tour company crashed in July 2024.
The 2024 crash was caused by “an encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an inflight breakup”, a report by the National Transportation Safety Board said.
[BBC]
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