Kiwis take charge in Christchurch

CHRISTCHURCH—Shane Bond and James Franklin claimed three wickets each and Chris Martin picked up his 100th Test dismissal as New Zealand took control. The Black Caps dismissed the tourists for 154 runs before tea on the first day of the first Test in Christchurch. They were 85-2 at stumps with opener Craig Cumming unbeaten on 37 after sharing a second wicket stand of 70 with Mathew Sinclair. Bond, playing his first Test match on his home ground, ripped through the Sri Lankan top order, taking three wickets in his first seven overs of the day, while Franklin picked up his three after lunch.
Mahela Jayawardene was left to question his decision to bat first after winning the toss as only four of his batsmen reached double figures. Sanath Jayasuriya was out for five after edging to Stephen Fleming in the slips, and Kumar Sangakkara followed for four. Jayawardene was dismissed for eight when he was caught by Franklin at fine leg before opener Upul Tharanga and Chamara Kapugedera managed to offer some resistance, taking Sri Lanka to 77-3 at lunch. Tharanga was eventually out for 33 when he cut Franklin to Jamie How at gully, while Kapugedera was trapped for the inning’s top score of 37. The tourists were bowled out in the 53rd over of their innings but Sri Lanka struck back quickly after tea, Lasith Malinga dismissing New Zealand opener How in the second over for a duck.—Agencies