Skip to main content

Sri Lanka secure 2-0 series win in Colombo

  • Story Highlights
  • Sri Lanka seal a 2-0 series victory against New Zealand with 96-run win
  • Visiting captain Daniel Vettori scores 140 in his side's unsuccessful run chase
  • Tourists bowled out for 397 on final day of the second Test in Colombo
  • England's opening Twenty20 international against Australia is rained off
Decrease font Decrease font
Enlarge font Enlarge font

(CNN) -- Rangana Herath's five-wicket haul overshadowed a remarkable century from New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori as Sri Lanka secured a 96-run victory in the second and final Test in Colombo.

Herath claims a souvenir after his five-wicket haul ensured Sri Lanka won the second Test in Colombo.

Herath claims a souvenir after his five-wicket haul ensured Sri Lanka won the second Test in Colombo.

Vettori struck a tenacious 140 and had combined with the tail to offer stiff resistance on the final day after his seventh-wicket stand with Jacob Oram (54) was ended in the morning by Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Sri Lanka's bowlers, however, eventually prevailed with Herath claiming Iain O'Brien as his fifth victim, while Muttiah Muralitharan added the wickets of Jeetan Patel and Vettori as New Zealand were bowled out for 397.

The Black Caps had resumed on 182 for six, chasing an unlikely victory target of 494 -- which would have set a world record for a final-innings run chase.

Kumar Sangakkara rotated his attack in the hope of securing the breakthrough and used Dilshan and even Chamara Kapugedera with the old ball, but without success.

Fast bowler Dammika Prasad looked the most dangerous, having Vettori in some trouble during a fiery first spell. Prasad induced an edge from Vettori but the ball flew between Tharanga Paranavitana and Mahela Jayawardene in the slip cordon, the two fielders left looking at each other.

Vettori was then seemingly struck right in front with the last delivery in the same over, but umpire Daryl Harper turned down the appeal.

Both batsmen reached their half-centuries within a couple of deliveries of each other, also bringing up the century partnership in the process.

The second new ball was then taken and Sangakkara suffered a blow as Muralitharan pulled up in the middle of an over with an injury and limped off the field, leaving Thilan Thushara to complete the over.

Dilshan, however, struck in the final over before lunch, getting Oram to push one straight to Sangakkara at cover and ending a gritty stand which had frustrated the home side.

Sri Lanka's quest for a series whitewash suffered another setback when rain delayed the start of the post-lunch session.

But play resumed after a 30-minute delay and Muralitharan, who had returned to the field, struck almost immediately, Patel edging to Kapugedera at short leg while attempting to sweep.

Vettori reached his century -- the fourth of his career -- by hitting the veteran spinner over mid-on and had put on 69 for the ninth wicket with O'Brien until the partnership was ended by Herath.

O'Brien edged to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and walked even before Harper could adjudicate.

Vettori was the last man out as his attempt to shield number 11 batsman Chris Martin consumed him, an attempted sweep off Muralitharan caught by Herath running in from deep midwicket.

Herath finished with five for 139, while Muralitharan had three for 85.

Meanwhile, England's opening Twenty20 international against Australia in Manchester on Sunday was called off due to persistent rain.

Australia, seeking to bounce back after losing the Ashes Test series 2-1, made 145-2 in the first of two matches, while the hosts were struggling at 4-2 in just the second over when play was halted.

  • E-mail
  • Save
  • Print