Vettori Solid Bats Put Visitors in Command

Colombo: The New Zealanders took control against Sri Lanka Development XI on the second day of their opening tour match in Colombo. Four New Zealand batsmen scored fifties to help the touring team push for a possible victory on the final day.

Resuming from their overnight score of 43 for 1, the New Zealanders lost Tim McIntosh early in the day, but Ross Taylor joined Daniel Flynn to construct a 109-run partnership for the third wicket. A 97-run partnership between Taylor and Jesse Ryder followed by a massive 155-run stand from the unbeaten Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum for the seventh wicket put the game beyond the hosts.

The Sri Lankans did pull things back with three quick wickets to reduce the New Zealanders to 258 for 6 at one stage, but lost the advantage to a resolute seventh-wicket partnership.

Legspinner Jeewan Mendis was the most successful bowler, picking up four crucial wickets

Brief Score: New Zealand 437 for 7 (Taylor 93, Vettori 96*, McCullum 78, Flynn 75, Mendis 4-73) lead Sri Lanka Development XI 159 by 278 runs.

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