Taylor and Patel star in patchy BLACKCAPS batting

The BLACKCAPS went to stumps on 283/9 on day one of their second tour match in Sri Lanka, after a patchy batting display – with Ross Taylor and Jeetan Patel providing the day’s highlights.

Captain Daniel Vettori won the toss at the NCC ground in Colombo, against a Sri Lanka Development XI, and had no hesitation in seeking more batting practice for his side ahead of next week’s first Test.

But it was a horror start to the innings as opener Tim McIntosh was dismissed for a duck on the fourth ball of the day, followed five overs later by Daniel Flynn, out for five.

Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor consolidated the innings with a partnership of 89 for the third wicket, Guptill scoring a valuable 54.

Craig Cumming came and went for just two – the fourth consecutive lbw dismissal – and Brendon McCullum stayed briefly for 16, while Taylor continued on to a well-compiled 75.

Jacob Oram also picked up overdue runs, and after seeing Vettori depart for one, Oram and Jeetan Patel combined for 61 runs for the eighth wicket, Oram scoring 42.

Patel looked in good touch in reaching only his third first-class half-century, finishing the day unbeaten on 68, with Iain O’Brien on 9 not out.

Legbreak bowler Seekkuge Prasanna was the best of the Sri Lankan XI with figures of 3 for 66, while Test paceman Dhamika Prasad picked up 2 for 43.

ENDS

Short scorecard:
New Zealand 283/9 in 90 overs (Taylor 75, Guptill 54, Oram 42, Patel 68 n.o.; Prasanna 3/66, Prasad 2/43)

Full scorecard at:
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/content/scorecard/slc_dev_v_blackcaps_12aug.aspx