Southee rescues New Zealand with bat and ball after Lakmal blast

FILE PHOTO: Cricket - New Zealand v South Africa - second cricket test match - Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa - 30/8/2016. New Zealand's Tim Southee plays a shot. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

(Reuters) - Tim Southee rescued New Zealand with the bat then dragged his side back into the match with the ball after Sri Lanka's Suranga Lakmal's career-best figures had threatened to dominate the first day of the second test in Christchurch on Wednesday.

Southee counter-attacked with wicketkeeper BJ Watling to blast 68 from 65 balls and take New Zealand from the depths of despair on 64 for six after Lakmal had destroyed the top order on a green wicket at Hagley Oval.