Cricket: New Zealand 267/3 at end of first day

New Zealand's Hamish Marshall celebrates his century against Sri Lanka on the first day in the first cricket test at McLean Park, Napier. Picture / Fotopress

New Zealand were 267 for three off 84 overs when bad light forced an early end to the first day of the first cricket test against Sri Lanka at McLean Park today.

Hamish Marshall led the way with his second test century, 133 not out, when the batsmen took up the umpires' offer of the light six overs before the scheduled close.

Nathan Astle was 37 not out, with he and Marshall adding an unbroken 80 for the fourth wicket.

Earlier, Marshall and his twin brother James added 107 in 140 minutes for the second wicket, with James scoring 52 in his second test.

Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga and legspinner Upul Chandana took a wicket apiece, with paceman Malinga ending the day with one for 37 off 14 overs including the wicket of captain Stephen Fleming bowled for 16.

* Scoreboard at stumps on the first day of the first cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at McLean Park today.

New Zealand

First innings

C Cumming lbw b Vaas 12
J Marshall c Samaraweera b Chandana 52
H Marshall not out 133
S Fleming b Malinga 16
N Astle not out 37
Extras (4b, 3lb, 10nb) 17
--Total (for 3 wkts, 84 overs) 267

Fall: 35 (Cumming), 142 (J Marshall), 187 (Fleming).

Bowling: C Vaas 18-3-63-1 (7nb), L Malinga 14-4-37-1 (2nb), N Kulasekara 17-5-38-0, R Herath 13-2-48-0, U Chandana 18-2-61-1 (1nb), S Jayasuriya 3-1-8-0, T Dilshan 1-0-5-0.

- NZPA