Cricket: McIntosh soaks up learning experience as NZ struggle

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GALLE - Tim McIntosh will never make his runs with the flair of Tillakaratne Dilshan or look as assured as Mahela Jayawardene.

But he could still take heart from helping New Zealand skirt another test cricket capitulation here yesterday.

McIntosh marked his debut on the unfamiliar pitches of the subcontinent with a resilient 69 at Galle International Stadium, an innings destined to be the biggest contribution of New Zealand's reply to Sri Lanka's first innings of 452.

The Auckland opener provided the backbone of New Zealand's brittle 281 for eight by stumps on day three; only some lusty hitting from captain Daniel Vettori with the tailenders today could eclipse the 29-year-old's maiden test half century.

By batting into the 75th over, McIntosh fulfilled one part of his assignment - but he was annoyed at not being able to threaten the 136 he made against the West Indies in just his third test innings last December.

"Fifties would like to be converted to hundreds wouldn't they?" McIntosh said, as he reflected on a learning experience that spanned 292 minutes and 226 balls.

"It was pretty disappointing to do that much work and face that many balls... you want to go on and get the three figures."

McIntosh nullified Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, the most encouraging aspect of his vigil, though the veteran offspinner eventually trapped him lbw during a middle order collapse that saw New Zealand lose three wickets for 15, and any chance of getting close to Sri Lanka's total.

McIntosh had never experienced the likes of Muralitharan and Mendis before so combating the duo for an extended period was a "pleasing" achievement and justified New Zealand Cricket enlisting the expertise of former Pakistani spinner Saqlain Mushtaq as a technical advisor.

"I was pretty happy. I think it's always going to be a tough ask coming up against som eone like Murali who has a world of experience," he said.

"The control he has is pretty exceptional. Just to bat time against him felt good but it's one thing surviving, you also have to score at a certain rate."

Runs were at a premium yesterday as Muralitharan and Mendis monopolised the ball, sharing 43 overs and conceding just 108, an economy rate of 2.51.

They bowled expertly in tandem, or individually from the Dutch Fort end, though Muralitharan took the only wickets to end with three for 66 from 37 stingy overs.

Mendis, who removed Daniel Flynn late Tuesday, has one for 75 from 24; left arm seamer Thilan Thushara matched Muralitharan's haul with three for 80.

While McIntosh's crease occupation was admirable, the size of his partnerships underlined Sri Lanka's dominance.

His 51-run liaison with Ross Taylor for the fourth wicket is the most substantial stand of the innings, a far cry from the century partnerships Jayawardene built with Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera.

Taylor (35) and Jesse Ryder (42) could not push on from promising starts leaving Vettori to build on his unbeaten 33 alongside Iain O'Brien when play resumes.

On a positive note for New Zealand, rain has stalled play every morning so more time is destined to be lost, enhancing their chances of salvaging a draw.

Of the 270 overs available during the first three days, 48 have been lost to rain or bad light.

Muralitharan admitted it could be difficult to dismiss New Zealand a second time once Kumar Sangakkara sets a fourth innings run chase.

"Maybe there's a chance but we've lost a lot of overs," he said.

The holder of 773 test wickets, including 99 at this venue, also blamed the rain for slowing the pitch's deterioration and denying him and Mendis cracks to target.

"The wicket is holding because of the rain, the water's there so it's still a slow wicket.

"You can't expect to get them (New Zealand) out for 100," he added.

"They're international players these guys, they fight. We have to fight hard."

- NZPA