Published: Nov 28, 2012, 03:20 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 28, 2012, 03:20 PM (IST)
Skipper Ross Taylor is leading New Zealand from the front as his side take a 300-plus lead ©AFP
Colombo: Nov 28,2012
Skipper Ross Taylor (53 not out) and debutant Todd Astle (32 not out) put on an unbeaten partnership of 79 runs in the second innings on Day Four of the Colombo Test to take New Zealand’s lead past the 300 mark.
Having bowled Sri Lanka out for 244, the Kiwis lost early wickets and were reduced to 75 for 5 before the duo of Taylor and Astle put on a good partnership.
Sri Lankan bowlers struck in quick successions to dismiss five Kiwi batsmen. First to go was Martin Guptill, who gave Shaminda Eranga a wicket after edging the ball to Tilakaratne Dilshan at gully.
Next to go was Brendon McCullum who was done in by a beautifully tossed up delivery by Rangana Herath. McCullum saw the flight and moved forward but was beaten and Prasanna Jayawardene did well to dislodge the bails to stump McCullum out of his crease.
First innings centurion, Kane Williamson played an extremely loose shot and was dismissed for just 18 runs.
Nuwan Kulasekara then trapped Daniel Flynn in front of his stumps while Herath removed Kruger Van Wyk to leave the visitors reeling at 85 for five before Taylor and Astle put up a good stand.
Earlier, Tim Southee completed a five-wicket haul to help New Zealand gain a big lead. The fast bowler finished with five for 62 for his third five-wicket haul in a Test innings and left-arm paceman Trent Boult with four for 42 as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 244 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 412.
The tourists were 59 for two in their second innings at lunch for an overall lead of 227 with eight wickets in hand, with Kane Williamson (11 not out) and skipper Ross Taylor (one not out) at the crease.
Martin Guptill (11) was caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan on second attempt at gully off paceman Shaminda Eranga while Brendon McCullum was stumped off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath after scoring a 43-ball 35 with seven fours.
(With inputs from AFP)
Brief Scores: New Zealand 412 and 59 for 2 (Brendon McCullum 35, Kane Williamson 15*; Rangana Herath 1 for 15) lead Sri Lanka 244 (Thilan Samaraweera 76, Suraj Randiv 39; Tim Southee 5 for 62) by 233 runs/
