Lower order lifts New Zealand to 283

New Zealanders 283 for 8 (Taylor 75, Patel 68*, Guptill 54, Prasanna 3-66) v Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI
Scorecard

Two half-century partnerships among the lower-order batsmen lifted the New Zealanders after an unimpressive start on the opening day of their second tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI, at the NCC grounds in Colombo. The tourists were in a spot of bother at one stage at 172 for 7 but an unbeaten 68 by Jeetan Patel helped push that score to a more respectable 283 for 8.

The hosts struck in the opening over when Dammika Prasad trapped Tim McIntosh lbw, one of six batsmen who were trapped in front. Shortly after, Daniel Flynn too missed out when he fell to Tharanga Lakshitha. Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor then added 89 for the third wicket, the most productive stand of the day. Guptill found form with a half-century after failing in the opening game, while Taylor notched his second fifty of the tour. However, the spinners struck in quick succession to peg the New Zealanders back. Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis and Suraj Randiv shared four of the next five wickets to fall and the visitors were in need of a revival again. Taylor fell for 75, trapped by the Prasad, the right-arm fast bowler.

Patel scripted that revival, adding 61 with Jacob Oram and then an unbeaten 50 with Iain O'Brien. Patel hit four fours and a six in his unbeaten 68. O'Brien played the supporting role in that stand, hanging around for a stubborn 9 off 41 balls while Patel took control.