New Zealand reached 281 for eight at stumps on day three and avoided the follow on but with a first innings deficit of 171 runs and just two wickets in hand, Sri Lanka are still on top in the first Test Match of the two match series here at the Galle International Stadium. After more than 90 minutes of play was lost in the morning due to rain, Sri Lanka picked up six wickets yesterday, but had to toil, on a day where only 76 overs were possible.

Ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan with three wickets and left arm seamer Thilan Thushara with three wickets did most of the damage.

During yesterday’s play, Muralitharan went onto establish another World Record when he broke Shane Warne’s record for most number of maidens in Tests. The Australian had bowled 1761 maiden in Test cricket and yesterday after Jacob Oram failed to take a run off his 27th over, the 79th of the New Zealand innings, he claimed the milestone, 17 Tests lesser than Warne.

There was some controversy involving umpire Darrel Harper, after the Australian umpire ruled opener Tim McIntosh leg before wicket to

Muralitharan to end his near five hour resistance. Harper was at the center of controversy again when he ruled Jacob Oram caught bat pad, but television replays clearly showed that the batsman didn’t get any bat or glove to ball. The Sri Lankans had their fair share of bad luck as well as close leg before shouts off Jesse Ryder and particularly against Daniel Vettori were turned down by the same umpire.

Earlier, Jeetan Patel sent in as night watchman added 49 runs for the third wicket with Tim McIntosh before he became Muralitharan’s first victim. A 51 run stand between McIntosh and Ross Taylor followed for the fourth wicket and with Ajantha Mendis lacking penetration, Kumar Sangakkara opted for Thilan Thushara and there was immediate success as the left arm seamer got one to angle across and take the outside edge

of Taylor’s bat with the batsman playing forward. Thushara, who was impressive during the Pakistan series also accounted for the wicket of Brendon McCullum, when the Kiwi wicketkeeper dragged one onto the stumps to leave them 195 for six. McIntosh was the standout batsman for the Kiwis playing both the Sri Lankan seamers and spinners with confidence. The batsman scored just one run in 35 minutes when play began on day three and was cautious right throughout.

The 29-year-old, playing only his sixth Test, appeared to have got a measure of Mendis’ bowling when he stepped out and whacked the spinner for a straight six. He reached his half-century by putting away a Mendis full toss for four and went onto make 69 in 292 deliveries with the help of six boundaries and a six.

Sri Lanka delayed the new ball until the 96th over with Muralitharan bowling well and once it was taken Kulasekara joined the wicket takers going through Jesse Ryder’s defence. Ryder made 42 in 95 balls with four boundaries.

Daniel Vettori was unbeaten on 33 when light was offered with Ian O’Brien

at the other end on three. Play will resume at 9:45 am today, weather permitting.

SCOREBOARD

T. McIntosh lbw b Muralitharan 69

M. Guptill b Thushara 24

D. Flynn b Mendis 14

J. Patel lbw b Muralitharan 26

R. Taylor c P.Jayawardena b Thushara 35

J. Ryder b Kulasekera 42

B. McCullum b Thushara 1

J. Oram c (sub) Warnapura b M’tharan 12

D. Vettori not out 33

I. O’Brien not out 3

Extras: (6b, 5lb, 11nb) 22

TOTAL: (for eight wickets) 281

Overs: 105

Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-80, 3-129, 4-180, 5-188, 6-195, 7-223,

8-259.

Still to bat: C. Martin.

Bowling: Kulasekera 10-2-41-1 (1nb), Thushara 22-2-80-3 (6nb), Mendis 34-8-75-1 (4nb),Muralitharan37-9-66-3,

Paranavitana 2-0-8-0.

Umpires: D. Harper, Aus), N. Llong, (Eng).

Third Umpire: A. de Silva, (SL).