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Tillakaratne Dilshan celebrates making a century - Source: Reuters -
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Tillakaratne Dilshan scored a century as Sri Lanka set New
Zealand an improbable 413-run target on the fourth day of the first
test on Friday.
Beginning their run chase, makeshift opener Daniel Flynn - standing
in for Tim McIntosh, one of seven players to be hit by a stomach
bug - was dismissed for nought in a short evening session to leave
the tourists on 30 for one at the close.
Flynn was acrobatically caught by a diving Mahela Jayawardene at
slip off seamer Nuwan Kulasekara. Martin Guptill survived to the
close on 17 with Ross Taylor on eight not out.
Dilshan has revelled in his new role as opener on his return to
cricket after injury, scoring 92 the in first innings and then an
entertaining 123 from 131 balls with 12 boundaries and a six.
Sri Lanka powered their way to 259 for four from just 49 overs
having earlier bowled New Zealand for 299 after 35 minutes of play
in the morning.
The declaration was announced as the players left the field for the
tea interval.
Only 13 overs were possible in the last session due to light
rain and bad light.
Dilshan was supported by a stylish 46 from skipper Kumar
Sangakkara, the pair adding 101 after the early fall of opener
Tharanga Paranavitana (five).
Mahela Jayawardene scored a brisk 27 before being caught and bowled
by Jeetan Patel and Thilan Samaraweera smashed two sixes in his
20-run cameo.
New Zealand's fight to save the opening test was not helped by a
stomach bug effecting seven members of the playing eleven.
Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum and batsman Jesse Ryder were the
mostly severely affected and were unable to take the field in the
morning.
Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Flynn, McIntosh and Chris Martin were
also affected, team manager Dave Currie said.
Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan finished with four for 73 from 42
overs while seamer Thilan Thushara claimed four for 81 as the Sri
Lankans took the last two wickets of New Zealand's first
innings.
Daniel Vettori was last man out, bowled by Thushara for 42.
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara allowed the tourists to use
reserve wicketkeeper Reece Young in the second innings due to the
illness suffered by Ryder, who was originally McCullum's
backup.
Scores: New Zealand 30-1 & 299 (McIntosh 69) v
Sri Lanka 259-4 declared (Dilshan 123 not out) & 452 (Dilshan
92, Jayawardene 114, Samaraweera 159)
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