Batsmen take BLACKCAPS to strong position

Daniel Vettori remains unbeaten on 96 at stumps on the second day of the BLACKCAPS’ three-day tour match against a Sri Lanka Development XI.

Vettori’s innings – off 117 balls and including nine fours and two sixes – capped a commanding batting performance which also saw half-centuries from Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum.

The BLACKCAPS ended the day on 437/7, a lead of 278.

Starting the day on 43/1, the BLACKCAPS lost Tim McIntosh early, adding just one to his overnight score, before Daniel Flynn and Ross Taylor took charge of the Sri Lankan attack. The pair put on 109 for the third wicket before Flynn went for 75 off 110 balls.

Taylor continued batting with confidence, and with Jesse Ryder added another 93 for the fourth wicket before falling just short of his century, on 93 – his innings coming off 176 deliveries and including 11 fours.

Ryder made a useful 48 before being caught lbw to Jeewan Mendis – who repeated that success two balls later to capture Jacob Oram.

In the day’s final session Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori kept up the batting momentum with aggressive stroke play, before McCullum was out for 78.

Scorecard:
www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/scorecard/slc_dev_v_blackcaps_14aug.aspx