N. Zealand collapse to Herath spin in S. Lanka Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AFP) –

New Zealand cricketer Daniel Flynn (C) during the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on November 19. New Zealand had collapsed to 96-8 in their second innings at lunch on the third day after failing to cope with Rangana Herath’s left-arm spin.

Rangana Herath completed a second successive five-wicket haul Monday to strengthen Sri Lanka’s hopes of victory in the opening Test against New Zealand in Galle.

New Zealand had collapsed to 96-8 in their second innings at lunch on the third day after failing to cope with Herath’s left-arm spin.

The tourists, trailing by 26 on first innings, were just 70 runs ahead with two wickets in hand. They lost seven wickets in the morning session for 61 runs after resuming on 35-1.

The Sri Lankan spinner has far taken five wickets for 36 off 14 overs.

Fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara did the early damage with two wickets in his opening three overs before Herath, who took one wicket on Sunday, struck four times in five overs to have New Zealand reeling at 79-7.

Sri Lanka cricketer Rangana Herath (R) celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor during the third day of the opening Test in Galle. Herath completed a second successive five-wicket haul Monday to strengthen Sri Lanka’s hopes of victory.

Herath, who took 5-65 in the first innings, was on a hat-trick when he bowled Daniel Flynn (20) and then trapped Doug Bracewell leg-before.

The Sri Lankan spinner started the slide when he had skipper Ross Taylor leg-before for 18 before accounting for James Franklin (two) for his first two wickets.

Kulasekara struck in his second over of the morning when he bowled opener Martin Guptill before dismissing Williamson, caught down the leg-side by a diving wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

Guptill fell on his overnight score of 13, while Kane Williamson (10) added just one run in the morning.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 247 in their first innings on Sunday in reply to New Zealand’s 221, with skipper Mahela Jayawardene scoring 91 and vice-captain Angelo Mathews 79.

Fast bowler Tim Southee took four wickets and off-spinner Jeetan Patel three for New Zealand.