Unorthodox Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga struck twice to add a late dash of spice to the first cricket Test against New Zealand as it appeared destined to end in a draw at the end of the fourth day yesterday.
New Zealand go into the final day at two for 64, a 127-run lead, and with star batsman Hamish Marshall already back in the pavilion following a dubious dismissal in the fading light.
Sri Lanka were all out in their first innings for 498 at tea -- with centuries to Mahela Jayawardene and captain Marvan Atapattu -- giving New Zealand a 63-run lead with four sessions remaining on a placid pitch.
PHOTO: AFP
But Malinga troubled the New Zealand batsmen with his pace, swing, and slinging action to trap Craig Cumming leg before wicket for 16, and followed up two overs later with the wicket of Marshall for six.
Marshall could consider himself unlucky on two counts as the ball appeared to be moving down leg side and moments after his dismissal the umpires called play off because of poor light.
James Marshall was not out 33 while nightwatchman Paul Wiseman was yet to score.
With the wicket not appearing to pose any danger, Sri Lanka had earlier appeared to be on target to surpass New Zealand's first innings total and take a psychological edge going into the second Test starting in Wellington on Monday.
Led by Jayawardene, who top-scored with 147, and Atapattu who made 127, Sri Lanka's senior batsmen had set the innings up at a healthy 463 for five, before the last five wickets fell for just 35 runs as New Zealand pace bowler James Franklin ripped through the tail.
The tourists sound batting performance came undone soon after lunch when Chris Martin surprised Thilan Samaraweera with extra bounce and he was caught by Stephen Fleming at first slip for 88.
Upul Chandana, the last wicket to fall, added 19 and Chaminda Vaas 17, while Franklin had Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara both for a duck
Franklin ended with four for 126 and Martin four for 132, while spinner Paul Wiseman prevented either of the pace bowlers getting a five wicket bag when he captured the wicket of Vaas sweeping to Nathan Astle at fine leg.
Sri Lanka's innings lasted 148.1 overs, with New Zealand's 561 scored in 159.1 overs.
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