Sri Lanka dominates again; inch closer to another win

By Rahul Bajaj
for Cricketain.com

Published: August 29, 2009

commentComment     Email This Post Email This Post     Printable version

Colombo: A second consecutive half century by skipper Kumar Sangakkara helped Sri Lanka seize control of the final test with a lead of 339 and eight wickets in hand.

The hosts, who led by 182 runs in the first innings, were 157-2 in their second knock when heavy rain ended play 12.4 overs early on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Sangakkara followed his 50 in the first innings with a fluent unbeaten 64, having shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 68 with former captain Mahela Jayawardene (23 not out). Sri Lanka will resume on the fourth day with an overall lead of 339 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Earlier, Sri Lanka spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath shared six wickets between them as New Zealand was bowled out for 234 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s 416 giving the hosts a lead of 182 runs in the first innings.

Off-spinner Muralitharan, the world’s most successful bowler, finished with three for 71 runs to take his record tally to 780 wickets. Left-arm spinner Herath finished with three for 70, while seamer Thilan Thushara claimed two for 37.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka 416 and 157 for 2 (Sangakkara 64*, Jayawardene 23*) lead New Zealand 234 (Taylor 81, Herath 3-70, Murali 3-71) by 339 runs

Tagged with: , , , , , ,


WPSN comments




Related News Headlines

Cricketain Latest