Day 2: SL vs NZ

Stephen Fleming has registered his maiden Test double century to leave New Zealand firmly on top after Day 2 of the First Cricket Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Fleming resumed the day's play on 112, with partner Mathew Sinclair unbeaten on 0 after surviving the penultimate overs of day 1.

Sinclair scratched around for just 17 runs in the morning session before he became the first wicket to fall to spin in the Test when he was caught by Kumar Sangakarra off the bowling of Kumar Dharmasena, leaving the visitors at 3/235.

Scott Styris then joined his captain at the crease, and restricted to playing only as a batsman in the match due to an injured shoulder, he was able to shoulder the extra burden expected of him.

The impressive Styris produced 63 runs at number 5, including 5 boundaries and 2 customary big sixes to see the side to 3/392.

Dharmasena again earned the breakthrough when the blond-gone-black Styris was caught by Chaminda Vaas.

All-rounder Jacob Oram, a largely untested quantity at Test level then joined Fleming at the crease, contributing 33 before the usually irresistible force of Muralidaran finally took his first wicket when debutant Kaushal Lokuarachichi claimed the catch.

Robbie Hart added just 9 before he became Murali's second victim, caught by the immensely talented Mahela Jayawardene to leave the guests at 6/486.

The recalled Dharmasena grabbed his third wicket when he trapped Daniel Vettori LBW for 7 as New Zealand searched for quick runs and a declaration.

Alas, Paul Wiseman smashed a quickfire 16 from just 7 balls to see the Black Caps past 500 and set up the declaration.

Fleming played marvellously to reach his highest Test and first-class score of 274* before unselfishly declaring the innings closed within sight of 300.

For the Sri Lankans, Kumar Dharmasena snared 3/132 from a mammoth 40 overs.

Muttiah Muralidaran had a rather forgettable innings with the ball, finishing with 2/140 from a colossal 58.5 overs. Chaminda Vaas snared 1/73, Prabath Nissanka 1/53 while Lokuarachichi and Sanath Jayasuriya failed to take a wicket.

Sri Lanka then faced just 1.4 overs before bad light stopped play, losing vice-captain Marvan Atapattu for 0 LBW to Daryl Tuffey from just the fifth ball of the innings, with the Maori quick taking his customary wicket in his first over.

Jayasuriya finished unbeaten on 2, as did nightwatchman Chaminda Vaas.

Scores:

New Zealand 7 dec 515 (S Fleming 274*, M Richardson 85, S Styris 63, K Dharmasena 3/132)

Sri Lanka 1/4 (D Tuffey 1/1)

Stumps Day 2.

Posted by Andre