Mathews’ ton saves Lanka the blushes

An

unbeaten century by Angelo Mathews saved Sri Lanka from an embarrassing batting collapse yesterday on the first day of a three-day tour match against a New Zealand XI.

Mathews made 128 not out, leading Sri Lanka to 210-9 in their first innings after they had been in a desperate position at 1069. He put in 104 in an unbroken stand for the 10th wicket with last man Lahiru Kumara, who ended 12 not out, contributing more than 60 per cent of the Sri Lanka total. (AP)