New Zealand seamer Chris Martin has ripped through the Sri Lankan top order and given his side the best possible start to the second test against Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve in Wellington today.
After the first 90 minutes of play play Sri Lanka were 72 forthree with Martin taking all three wickets.
Martin's first wicket came in just the second over when he had Sanath Jayasuriya caught at slip for a duck. The Sri Lankan opener poked his bat at a full delivery from Martin, catching a thick edge which went straight to Stephen Fleming.
Jayasuriya's opening partner Upul Tharanga only managed seven runs before he fell victim to an exceptional delivery from Martin. The seamer managed to shape the ball away from Tharanga before taking an edge and carrying through to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.
And Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene followed almost immediately, playing-on without troubling the scoring.
Sri Lanka's only shining light has been first test centurion Kumar Sangakkara. Starting where he finished in Christchurch, Sangakkara came to the crease with positive intent, pulling Martin over deep fine leg for six and racing to 54 off only 59 deliveries.
Earlier, Jayawardene called the toss correctly for a second time in the series and had no hesitation in batting first, despite indications there would be early assistance for the pace bowlers.
Both teams are unchanged from the first test in Christchurch.
