Day 1: SL vs NZ

Mark Richardson and Stephen Fleming have steered New Zealand's Black Caps into a strong position after Day 1 of the first Test at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium in Colombo.

Stephen Fleming won the toss and elected to bat against a Sri Lankan side armed with a new captain and two debutants.

Hashan Tillakaratne was leading the side for just the second time, while Prabath Nissanka and Kaushal Lokuarachichi were the debutants for the home side.

New Zealand began in bizarre fashion, with Mark Richardson playing with unusual aggression and Matthew Horne in a defensive fashion.

Horne, however, lasted just 32 deliveries before he became the first Test wicket of Nissanka, with the 22-year-old claiming the recalled opener for just 4 when he was caught by off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena.

However, the Sri Lankans promising start was foiled by a now subdued Mark Richardson and Stephen Fleming, with the pair batting out the remainder of the first session to leave the Black Caps just 1 wicket down at lunch.

The experienced left-handed duo then saw out the second session, with Richardson in particular looking much more assured against the spin of Muttiah Muralidaran.

Captain Fleming reached a well-deserved Test hundred towards the end of the third session, batting in a mature manner for his 5th Test ton.

The long-time skipper has struggled in the past to turn starts into hundreds, yet he seems to have rectified this problem in reaching his second international hundred since February.

Richardson, however, failed to convert his start into a century, falling for 85 when he was bowled by Sri Lankan spearhead Chaminda Vaas after a typically gritty innings and a partnership of 172 with Fleming.

Mathew Sinclair's Test career resumed when he joined his captain at the crease, finishing the day unbeaten on 4.

Fleming, however, was the undoubted star, finishing Day 1 on 112 and building a solid platform for tomorrow's play.

For Sri Lanka, Nissanka finished with 1/21 and Vaas 1/44.

Scores:

New Zealand 2/207 (S Fleming 112*, M Richardson 85, P Nissanka 1/21)

Stumps Day 1.

Posted by Andre