Saturday, August 29, 2009

Sri Lanka poised to defeat Kiwis

Second Test, Colombo, day four (close):
Sri Lanka 416 & 311-5 dec v New Zealand 234 & 182-6

Match scorecard


Sri Lanka v New Zealand
The scoreboard operators were quick to mark Sangakkara's century

Captain Kumar Sangakkara completed his 20th Test century as Sri Lanka closed in on a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand in Colombo.

Sangakkara made 109 as the home side, who won the first Test by 202 runs, declared their second innings on 311-5.

It left New Zealand with a target of 494 and despite 50 by Daniel Flynn, they struggled to 182-6 at the close.

Spinner Rangana Herath dismissed Jesse Ryder (38) in the penultimate over of play to finish with figures of 4-73.

For once, Muttiah Muralitharan, Test cricket's record wicket-taker, was outbowled and had to settle for a single success, achieved when Brendan McCullum (13) played on as he attempted to drive.

McCullum's exit came just five overs after Flynn had been trapped lbw on the back foot by Herath after battling to keep the home attack at bay for almost two hours.

And the loss of Ryder, who was leg-before after missing an attempted sweep shot, meant the Kiwis ended another tough day on a low note, although Sri Lanka have yet to reach the tail, with Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori not out at the close.

The home side batted through the morning session with Sangakkara and former skipper Mahela Jayawardene extending their third-wicket partnership to 173.

606: DEBATE

Sangakkara reached his century off 164 balls, with a six and 11 fours, but eventually departed when he was caught at slip by Ross Taylor off Jeetan Patel.

First-innings centurion Thilan Samaraweera was lbw to Vettori for 25 shortly after lunch and Sangakkara called a halt when Jayawardene followed for 96, with Taylor taking another catch from the bowling of Patel - this time a superb low effort.

New Zealand made a solid start to their reply before openers Tim McIntosh and Martin Guptill fell in quick succession, McIntosh bowled for seven when he offered no stroke to a ball from Dammika Prasad and Guptill caught behind off Herath for 28.

Flynn and Taylor added 56 for the third wicket before a flighted delivery from Herath lured Taylor (27) into an error and Jayawardene accepted the chance at first slip.

Taylor's downfall left New Zealand on 97-3 and the loss of three further wickets left them needing either inspired batting by Oram and Vettori or an intervention by the weather to save them on the final day.

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