Cricket: Black Caps struggle as Herath strikes

Colombo- New Zealand's faint prospects of survival deteriorated with spinner Rangana Herath's first delivery today as Sri Lanka closed in on a crushing second cricket test victory here at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

Herath dismissed Martin Guptill for 28 after the opener tickled a delivery to wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene to leave New Zealand in the lurch at tea on the fourth and penultimate day.

Set a distant 494 to square the series, New Zealand were in deep strife at 78 for two, after both Guptill and his opening partner Tim McIntosh succumbed inside 15 overs.

McIntosh had no one else to blame as he shouldered arms to Dammika Prasad and had his off stump bent back when on seven.

Daniel Flynn, on 22, and Ross Taylor, 20, battled hard to stay at the crease until the interval.

Taylor and the remaining strokemakers might have taken pleasure from the the ease at which Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara accumulated the latter stages of his 109 runs this morning although his previous match at this ground possibly had greater relevance for the tourists.

A month ago when Pakistan were pressing for a consolation victory in the third and final test, Sangakkara led a determined batting effort that secured a draw when Sri Lanka occupied the crease for 134 overs.

Sri Lanka scored 391 for four on that occasion, illustrating that crease occupation was possible on this wearing pitch.

Whether New Zealand have it in them to produce a similar act of defiance remains to be seen but it appears most unlikely given their most substantial innings in the series so far is 299.

Sri Lanka also have history on their side at this venue. In 33 tests here, they have dismissed opponents batting last for an average of 227 runs in 61 overs.

New Zealand were asked to face 56 overs before stumps, and another 90 on tomorrow's final day, when Sri Lanka declared their second innings at 311 for five after lunch.

Once Sri Lanka set about inflating their 339-run overnight lead, New Zealand were condemned to settle for minor victories.

And they secured one the ball before the declaration when Mahela Jayawardene was denied a history-making century for a second time in three days.

The former captain's knock was the only obstacle to Sangakkara calling a halt to Sri Lanka's runfest as he gave Jayawardene the opportunity to become the first cricketer to record 10 centuries on the same ground.

Jayawardene, who made 92 in the first innings, had safely progressed from 23 to 90 in the morning session, registering his 35th test half-century from 71 trouble-free deliveries with two boundaries and a six.

However, he departed for 96 when he edged seamer Iain O'Brien to Ross Taylor at first slip.

Thilan Samaraweera was also restricted to 25, although that was enough for the 32-year-old to overtake England captain Andrew Strauss as the leading runscorer in test cricket for 2009.

He increased his aggregate to 1083 at an average of 83.30 from eight tests and 15 innings; Strauss has 1071 from 21 innings.

Samaraweera appeared after Sangakkara's ambitious drive to Jeetan Patel ended a 175-run stand for the third wicket with Jayawardene.

Sangakarra, on 64 overnight, mixing sporadic shows of aggression and perfect placement to pierce New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori's defensive field settings as he brought up three figures for the 20th time in tests from 164 balls.

Offspinner Jeetan Patel ended with figures of two for 112 from 32 overs and six wickets for the match while Vettori had two for 62 from 24.

- NZPA