Day 4: SL v NZ

Just 53 overs of play was possible today as Sri Lanka sought to save the follow-on against New Zealand in the first test match at Colombo.

Resuming at 4/267 and still 59 runs short of the target necessary to avoid the follow-on, the home side lost Mahela Jayawardene without further addition to his overnight score of 58 when he was picked up behind the wicket off the bowling of Jacob Oram.

Hashan Tillikeratne, meanwhile, continued sedately along, eventually recording his 11the test century in the process. He was joined at the wicket by Romesh Kaluwitharana and the pair added 107 for the sixth wicket, effectively saving the game in the process.

Kaluwitharana's innings in particular was a far more aggressive affair as he dominated the partnership with a series of cuts and drives, eventually falling for 76 from just 90 balls faced when he hit out at Paul Wiseman, Matthew Sinclair successfully pouching the catch at midwicket.

Resolute defence by Kumar Dharmasena was the order of the day after lunch as the game meandered towards its almost inevitable conclusion before rain mercifully curtailed the day's activities with still two hours of play remaining.

Scores:

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

Sri Lanka 6/424 (H Tillakaratne 126*, R Kaluwitharana 76, K Sangakkara 67, M Jayawardene 58, S Jayasuriya 50, S Bond 2/86, P Wiseman 2/96)

Stumps Day 4.


Posted by Eddie