Sri Lanka thrash Kiwis in first Test

by Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Galle

CRICKET: Sri Lanka wrapped up a comprehensive 202 run victory over the visiting New Zealand team with more than a session to spare on the fifth and final day of the opening cricket Test match concluded at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.

The Kiwis were dismissed for 210 runs in their second innings shortly before the tea interval when they were chasing a massive victory target of 412 runs from four sessions. This success in fact further underlined Sri Lanka’s dominance at this venue as they cruised to their seventh win from 13 outings.

The other significant fact is that the Lankans have now really put themselves on course to reach the second place in the International Cricket Council Test Rankings. But more importantly they have remained unbeaten this year with four victories from seven outings which includes series triumphs over Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka’s victory in this Test of course was always there from the moment they reduced the opposition to 125 for 5 during the first session of play. The only major concern for them was the bad weather which had reduced a great number of overs throughout this game.

However this time they were blessed with a bright and sunny day as they made steady progress towards achieving their goal despite some stubborn resistance from the New Zealand middle order batsmen.

Skipper Daniel Vettori in fact provided the biggest challenge with his solid defence and clever batting that lasted for more than two hours.

The 30 year old left-hander was not prepared to present the match to the Lankans on a plate as he fought bravely to delay the inevitable.

Vettori in the meantime went on to complete his 20th Test half century from 111 minutes, 89 balls and with the help of five boundaries. He continued with the good work by keeping one end occupied that gave New Zealand an outside chance of saving the game.Â

He put on 41 runs for the fifth wicket along with Jacob Oram who also provided some stiff resistance while occupying the crease for more than one hour for his contribution of 21 which included two boundaries.

Jesse Ryder joined his captain and the pair further frustrated the home side with a sixth wicket partnership of 48 runs from 52 minutes. But thereafter the Kiwis were unable to put up a real challenge and folded up rather meekly.

The Sri Lankan spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis were made to work hard for success even though they were able to pick up wickets at regular intervals. But it was paceman Thilan Thushara Mirando who opened the game for Sri Lanka by striking twice during a controlled opening spell of bowling.

Mirando ended a promising second wicket partnership by removing opener Mark Guptil and then followed up with the key wicket of Tim McIntosh who was snapped up brilliantly by Thilan Samaraweera at second slip.

McIntosh was the hero in the New Zealand first innings and the decision of course was given by the third umpire.

In a surprise move skipper Kumar Sangakkara then handed the ball to former captain Mahela Jayawardena who did not let down his team by capturing a wicket in his very first over of the match. Opener Tillekeratne Dilshan who made 92 and 123 not out in the two innings respectively was named Man of the Match.

SRI LANKA - 1ST INNINGS: 
452 (T. Dilshan 92, M. Jayawardene 114, T. Samaraweera 159, D. Vettori 4-78, C. Martin 4-77).

NEW ZEALAND - 1ST INNINGS: 
299 (T. McIntosh 69, T. Thushara 4-81, 
M. Muralitharan 4-73).

SRI LANKA - 2ND INNINGS: 
259-4 decl (T. Dilshan 123 not out, K. Sangakkara 46).

NEW ZEALAND - 2ND INNINGS
(overnight 30-1)

M. Guptill b Thushara 				18
D. Flynn c M. Jayawardene b Kulasekara 		 0
R. Taylor c P.Jayawardene b M. Jayawardene	16
T. McIntosh c Samaraweera b Thushara 		 0
J. Oram lbw b Mendis 				21
D. Vettori c P. Jayawardene b Mendis		67
J. Ryder c P. Jayawardene b Muralitharan	24
B. McCullum run out				29
J. Patel st P. Jayawardene b Muralitharan 	22
I. O’Brien c Paranavitana b Muralitharan 	 5
C. Martin not out 				 0
Extras: (b4, lb1, nb3)				 8
Total (all out, 71.5 overs)			210
Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Flynn), 2-37 (Guptill), 3-39 (McIntosh), 4-45 (Taylor), 5-86 (Oram), 
6-134 (Ryder), 7-167 (Vettori), 8-204 (Patel), 9-210 (O’Brien), 10-210 (McCullum).
Bowling: Kulasekara 8-2-20-1 (nb1), Thushara 14-3-37-2 (nb2), Mendis 18.5-4-50-2, 
Muralitharan 27-4-88-3, M. Jayawardene 4-1-10-1.
Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Nigel Llong (ENG).
TV umpire: Asoka de Silva (SRI).
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).  AFP