Spinners will put New Zealand under pressure: Jayawardene

Updated on: 20 August,2009 08:07 AM IST |
AFP |

Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera hit a solid 159 before skipper Daniel Vettori inspired a New Zealand comeback in the first Test here yesterday.

Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera hit a solid 159 before skipper Daniel Vettori inspired a New Zealand comeback in the first Test here yesterday.

Samaraweera's third Test century this year helped Sri Lanka pile up 452 in their first innings by tea.

The Black Caps responded bravely to the challenge by going to stumps at 87-2, with opener Tim McIntosh unbeaten on 36 and nightwatchman Jeetan Patel on six.

Vettori finished with 4-78 to take his career tally to 297 wickets and now needs just three more to become only the ninth player in Test history to achieve the double of 3,000 runs and 300 wickets.

The Kiwis dismissed century-maker Mahela Jayawardene caught at first slip by Ross Taylor off Iain O'Brien in the day's second over. Jayawardene added six runs to his overnight score of 108 before falling for 114, his 26th Test century.

The Sri Lankan captain though was satisfied with his team's show. "We have done well to put up more than 450 on the board and taken two wickets. We should be able to put them under pressure as the match goes on because the spinners will begin to get some turn," he said.