Jayawardene helps Sri Lanka gain 1st innings lead
GALLE: Mahela Jayawardene cracked an impressive 91 to lead Sri Lanka's fightback on an absorbing second day of the opening Test against New Zealand in Galle on Sunday.
Sri Lanka were in deep trouble at 50-5 following fast bowler Tim Southee's three-wicket burst in the morning before posting 247 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand's 221.
The tourists reached 35-1 in their second innings at stumps after losing Brendon McCullum, caught by Nuwan Kulasekara off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who was pressed into the attack after three overs.
The match is evenly poised at this stage, with New Zealand nine runs ahead with as many wickets in hand.
Skipper Jayawardene and vicecaptain Angelo Mathews (79) earlier propped up the innings with a 156-run sixth-wicket stand.
The hosts looked like gaining a big lead when they reached 206-5 but lost their last five wickets, including those of well-set Jayaw-ardene and Mathews, for 41 runs.
The tourists, who went wicketless in the afternoon, came back strongly to take five wickets in the last session, with offspinner Jeetan Patel striking three times to finish with 3-55.
Jayawardene looked set to
THE SKIPPER LOOKED SET TO COMPLETE HIS 32ND TEST CENTURY WHEN HE FELL WHILE TRYING TO SWEEP PATEL
complete his 32nd Test century when he was caught behind while trying to sweep Patel. He hit one six and 11 fours and faced 176 balls.
Mathews fell soon after the tea-break, caught by wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk off seamer James Franklin after hitting one six and 12 fours in his 154ball knock.
Jayawardene and Mathews defied the tourists' attack for more than a session with their sensible batting, confidently gathering runs against both pace and spin.
Mathews was more aggressive in the second session, smashing a six over deep mid-wicket off Patel and then flicking paceman Doug Bracewell for a four to complete his ninth Test halfcentury.