Cricket: Solid start for Black Caps

The Black Caps have made a solid start to their Sri Lanka campaign with a good bowling performance on day one of their first three-day warm-up game. The Sri Lanka Development XI won the toss and chose to bat first in hot and humid conditions, at Colts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.

The New Zealand attack hit their targets from the outset and had the Sri Lanka XI five wickets down for 91 in the 33rd over. Nineteen year old Dinesh Chandimal offered some resistance, scoring 64, but wickets fell steadily at the other end, and no other batsman reached 20.

The Sri Lankans were all out for 159. For New Zealand, Daryl Tuffey took three for 41 off 10.4 overs, while Chris Martin was economical for his two for 13 off 9 overs.

Daniel Vettori took two for 29, and Jeetan Patel two for 60. Jacob Oram was the other wicket-taker.

In the final session of play New Zealand got through to 43 for the loss of one wicket - opener Martin Guptill out for 6.

At stumps Tim McIntosh remained unbeaten on 20, Daniel Flynn on 16.

- NZPA