New Zealand's early breakthroughs after deciding to field first in the first Test of the seires against Sri Lanka backfired as two Sri Lankan batsmen took the game away.
chris martin
New Zealand cheered captain Daniel Vettori's decision when Chris Martin picked two quick wickets to set the hosts back. However, Sri Lanka did recover in the delayed morning session as Tillekeratne Dilshan took charge.
dilshan2
Had it not been for Dilshan, the morning session would have been a drag as far as Sri Lanka were concerned. What Dilshan did with his aggressive, flamboyant stroke play, was nullify New Zealand's early success by chalking up over a 100 runs at a rather healthy run rate of five an over in the session that lasted about an hour and a half.
Earlier the New Zealand decision seemed justified as Chris Martin had sent back Paranavitana for naught and Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara, for just eight as the hosts were reduced to two down for sixteen. Thereafter, the hundred run partnership between Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene allowed Sri Lanka to consolidate rather remarkably well.
jayawardene century
When Iain O'Brien, who particularly did not enjoy the morning's onslaught, did eventually manage the breakthrough to remove the dangerous Dilshan for ninety-two, Jayawardene changed gears. Thilan Samaraweera gave Sri Lanka another reason for yet another century partnership that tested New Zealand's resilience on the first day. Jayawardene brought his up his twenty-sixth Test century with Samaraweera kicking not far behind on eighty-two as Sri Lanka finished the day on a strong 293 for three.
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