New Zealand vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Day 4 in Wellington full scorecard: SL fight back

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Day 4: Sri Lanka fought back on Day 4 of the test to give themselves a fighting chance of drawing the first Test.

Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews celebrated with push-ups on the pitch after joining Kusal Mendis in passing 100 Tuesday as the pair batted the whole day without losing a wicket to offer the tourists hope of an unlikely first Test draw in Wellington.

Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews, left, and Kusal Mendis leave the field at the close of play on day four of the first cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Wellington. (AP)

Mendis was 116 not out at stumps on day four and Mathews 117, with their record-breaking unbroken 246-run partnership setting a Sri Lankan record against New Zealand.

It was also the first time in New Zealand that a full day’s play has been completed without a Test wicket falling and the first time anywhere since South Africa achieved the feat against Bangladesh in Chittagong in 2008.

The pair’s epic vigil meant the tourists ended the day at 259 for three after starting in a seemingly hopeless position with three wickets down for just 20 in their second innings after conceding a first innings deficit of 296 to New Zealand.