Lanka hand NZ 202-run defeat

Sri Lanka clinched a resounding 202-run victory on the final day to take a 1-0 lead in their two-match Test series against New Zealand on Saturday.

Sri Lanka clinched a resounding 202-run victory on the final day to take a 1-0 lead in their two-match Test series against New Zealand on Saturday. The hosts set New Zealand an unlikely 413-run victory target and dismissed them for 210 in 71.5 overs shortly before tea on the final day.

Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed three for 88 for a match haul of seven for 161,to mark an impressive return to test cricket after a knee injury. Skipper Daniel Vettori provided some resistance with a gritty 67,but the next highest score was Brendon McCullum with just 29.

Left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara,struck early when play started on time,for the first time in this rain-interrupted game. Thusharas burst left New Zealand reeling at 39 for three after Martin Guptill (18) was bowled by a beautiful leg-cutter and Tim McIntosh was caught low down at slip for a duck.

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara then sprang a surprise,throwing the ball to Mahela Jayawardene. The tactic worked,as Jayawardene dismissed Ross Taylor. Ajantha Mendis then had Jacob Oram trapped leg before for 21,reducing the visitors to 125 for five at lunch.

Vettori and Jesse Ryder (24) battled hard with a 48-run stand for the sixth wicket. Muralitharan eventually had Ryder caught behind and followed up with the wickets of Jeetan Patel (22) and Iain O’Brien (five) and Mendis had Vettori caught behind,dashing New Zealands hopes.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 452 & 259 for 4 decl; New Zealand 299 & 210 all out in 71.5 overs (D Vettori 67; M Muralitharan 3/88,T Thushara 2/37,A Mendis 2/50).