Cricket: Sri Lankans give up the run chase in final test

KANDY - New Zealand were set to escape the second and deciding test with a draw as Sri Lanka opted out of their run chase in the final session in Kandy late last night (NZ time).

New Zealand set Sri Lanka 191 to win in a minimum of 38 overs, but after the early loss of free-scoring opener Sanath Jayasuriya for nine, the home side quickly lost interest.

After 14 overs they were 36 for one, having required a run rate of 5.03 an over at the start of their chase.

New Zealand had success in the fourth over, soon after Jayasuriya cracked fast bowler Shane Bond through mid-wicket and extra cover for boundaries.

Trying for a third four in the over, the left-hander spooned a low catch to Mark Richardson at mid-on to make it 14 for one.

The arrival of Mahela Jayawardene did little to boost the scoring rate alongside Kumar Sangakkara, and the Sri Lankan batsmen were happy to leave the field when light drizzle forced them off for 10 minutes.

It saw them lose two overs as the required run rate climbed towards eight an over, with Daryl Tuffey and Bond struggling to break through but keeping a tight lid on the scoring rate.

Earlier, New Zealand lost six wickets for 52 in the first 150 minutes.

At lunch they were at 144 for seven, with Robbie Hart and Paul Wiseman at the wicket and the Sri Lankan spinners homing in on a turning pitch.

New Zealand began the day in a strong position of 92 for one in their second innings, an overall lead of 99 and a chance of setting a difficult run chase later on for the home side.

But it all went horribly wrong with a spate of nervy dismissals after Richardson was removed in the day's sixth over when he waved the bat at paceman Prabath Nissanka and was caught behind for 55.

It was a tame ending to another defiant 142-minute knock - his third half-century in four innings - and sparked the collapse of six for 30.

Mathew Sinclair completed a scratchy series without passing 20 when he was fooled by Muttiah Muralitharan's disguised leg break and stumped by Romesh Kaluwitharana after facing just six balls for nought.

Scott Styris took 28 balls and 42 minutes to get under way as he and Stephen Fleming looked to rescue the innings, but the next ball after getting off the mark he spooned a catch to mid-on.

- NZPA