Fleming puts Kiwis in command

COLOMBO, May 29: New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming scored a vital century to put his team in command at 260 for three in their second inni...

COLOMBO, May 29: New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming scored a vital century to put his team in command at 260 for three in their second innings on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka here Friday. Fleming was unbeaten at 106 at close, consolidating the 20-run lead he got in the first innings by dismissing the Sri Lankans for 285 all out in the first session Friday.

Keeping Fleming company at close of play was Craig McMillan on 64 at Colombo8217;s Premadasa Stadium where the 30,000 seats were almost empty.

The home side led by Arjuna Ranatunga resumed at 251 for seven and were all out in the ninth over of the day with left arm spinner Daniel Vettori plucking two wickets and Paul Wiseman at square leg running out Niroshan Bandaratilleke with a direct hit at the strikers8217; end.

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand 1st innings: 305

Sri Lanka 1st innings: S Jayasuriya c Parore b Cairns 10, M Atapattu c Parore b Cairns 0, M Jayawardena c Vettori b Wiseman 52, A de Silva c Doull b McMillan 37, ARanatunga b Cairns 49, R Kaluwitharana b Vettori 72, R Kalpage b Wiseman 6, P Wickremasinghe lbw Vettori 27, N Bandaratilleke run out 20, M Muralitharan b Vettori 0, M Bandara not out 0. Extras lb 8, nb 4: 12. Total: 285

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-21, 3-101, 4-105, 5-206, 6-221, 7-237, 8-284, 9-284.

Bowling: Doull 12-2-43-0 nb1, Cairns 15-0-59-3 nb-2, Harris 7-1-27-0 nb1, Vettori 24-8-56-3, Wiseman 20-4-61-2, McMillan 12-4-31-1.

New Zealand 2nd innings: B Young lbw Bandaratilleke 11, M Horne C Ranatunga b Muralitharan 35, S Fleming batting 106, N Astle c Kaluwitharana b Jayasuriya 34, C McMillan batting 64. Extras nb 1, lb 1, nb 8: 10. Total for 3 wickets 260.

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-68, 3-160.

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Bowling: Wickremasinghe 7-0-21-0, Bandaratilleke 21-6-46-1, De Silva 2-0-14-0, Muralitharan 22-5-76-1 nb 6, Bandara 8-0-38-0 nb2, Kalpage 14-4-38-0, Jayasuriya 5-0-25-1.