Cricket: New Zealand post huge total

Brendon McCullum after being dismissed for 99. Picture / Fotopress

Sri Lanka were 48 without loss in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 561 when bad light forced an early end to the second day of the first cricket test at McLean Park here today.


Sri Lanka's openers safely negotiated 12 overs before the close, with Sanath Jayasuriya on 31 and Marvan Atapattu on 14.


New Zealand were dismissed for their sixth highest test total, one hour into the final session.


Hamish Marshall topscored with 160, Nathan Astle scored 114 while wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum became the seventh New Zealander to be dismissed for 99 in a test innings.


James Franklin chimed in with his highest test score of 55 before he was last man dismissed.


Speedster Lasith Malinga was the most successful Sri Lankan bowler, with the wickets of Marshall and McCullum included in his figures of four for 130 off 34 overs.


- NZPA