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Source: Reuters -
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Sri Lanka seized control of the second Test against New Zealand
as they reached stumps on 157 for two with a lead of 339
runs.
Spinners Rangana Herath and Muttiah Muralitharan combined to take
six wickets in dismissing New Zealand for 234 on the third morning,
putting the hosts on course for a series sweep.
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara gave his team another solid
platform with an unbeaten 64 from 90 balls, a fluent innings that
included seven fours and a six.
The left-hander shared an unbroken partnership of 68 with Mahela
Jayawardene, who scored 23 not out, before rain curtailed the day's
play 12 overs early.
Tillakaratne Dilshan was the first casualty of the second innings,
caught for 33 off spinner Jeetan Patel.
Just before tea, opener Tharanga Paranavitana (34) was adjudged to
have gloved an attempted sweep off Daniel Vettori and was given out
caught behind.
New Zealand, trailing 0-1 in the two-game series, resumed on 159
for five before losing their remaining batsmen for 51 runs as Sri
Lanka forged a formidable 182-run lead.
Off spinner Muralitharan claimed 3-71 from 25.4 overs and
left-armer Herath took 3-70 from 34 overs.
Sri Lanka reached the lunch interval on two without loss in their
second innings with both Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana on one
not out.
Ross Taylor was New Zealand's top scorer with a three-hour 81 from
155 balls with 10 boundaries.
Brendon McCullum (18) was the first to fall in the morning as he
edged Muralitharan to Mahela Jayawardene at slip, the former
captain's 150th catch in Test cricket.
Herath then claimed the key scalp of Taylor, the right-hander
edging behind.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori rallied the visitors briefly
with 23, helping his team to avoid the follow on, before Chamara
Kapugedera held on to a juggling catch at short leg off part-time
spinner Dilshan.
Herath and Muralitharan quickly mopped up the tail, with Jacob Oram
out for 24 and Iain O'Brien lbw for four.
To view the scoreboard for Sri Lanka v NZ CLICK HERE
