Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

A classical hundred from Marvan Atapattu, his first against New Zealand, and a serene unbeaten 118 from Mahela Jayawardene helped Sri Lanka stroll within touching distance of the 362 follow-on target to ensure that a draw remains the likeliest result to the opening Test despite New Zealand’s massive first-innings score. Sri Lanka closed on 351 for 3 when bad light stopped play for the third successive day.Atapattu’s chanceless innings was a textbook gem. His elbow was perpendicular and his bat dead straight as he unfurled his full repertoire of off-side strokes. His cover-driving was particularly resplendent. Against the spin of Paul Wiseman his footwork was so precise and swift as he danced down the pitch that Wiseman, the only spinner in the absence of the much-needed Daniel Vettori, was visibly rattled, eventually bowling a waist-high full-toss during a particularly punishing over just before tea.The placid pitch made it virtually impossible for New Zealand’s bowlers to exploit the few chinks in his technical armoury – lifting deliveries in the corridor of uncertainty and ones that jag back from outside the off-stump – and only Chris Martin, who bowled at a decent lick and extracted some seam movement when he bowled a fuller length, proved a handful as Atapattu stroked 22 boundaries in his 127 – a hundred that that now gives him a full house against all nine Test-playing opponents.Jayawardene, meanwhile, started like a well-oiled train and sped to his fifty at just under a run-a-ball. Unafraid to loft down the ground, he also timed the ball well through the covers and played a couple of deft late cuts. As he flowed Atapattu was able to sit back and lay anchor. Then, in the second half of the afternoon, the tables turned and Jayawardene started to slow while Atapattu grew more aggressive, quickly moving through the 90s and then passing 5000 Test runs. Their 184-run stand was a third-wicket record against New Zealand, surpassing the undefeated 159 compiled by Roy Dias and Sidath Wettimuny in Colombo during 1983-84.The pair ran up 130 in a fast-scoring afternoon session but were then separated soon after the tea break as Nathan Astle, bowling wobblers in defensive mode, had Atapattu caught at first slip. The breakthrough created an opportunity for New Zealand, opening up one end minutes before the second new ball was due. However, although Jayawardene survived one scare when he got in a tangle trying to hook on 96, the new batsman did not create any chances. Thilan Samaraweera (34 not out) and Jayawardene rounded off the day with a solid 66-run stand.Earlier, the morning began under clear blue skies, hinting at a tough day for the bowlers. The pancake-flat pitch offered no encouragement either. Sri Lanka’s openers started in the same stylish vein they finished the previous evening, scoring freely against the still-new ball in the first half hour. But Martin’s rhythm improved steadily and he began to trouble Sanath Jayasuriya (48) with deliveries that nipped back off the seam between bat and pad. He had two strong caught-behind appeals turned down before he finally broke through with a fuller off-stump delivery that seamed back just enough to win an lbw decision from Steve Bucknor.A few moments later, with the first ball after the drinks break, Martin also dismissed Kumar Sangakkara with a similar delivery that ricocheted onto the stumps after a lazy drive. Suddenly, on 101 for 2, needing 362 to avoid the follow-on, Sri Lanka were under pressure. But Atapattu and Jayawardene buckled down and, after lunch, started to reap the rewards for their hard work.A decisive result now seems improbable, but New Zealand will be kept interested by Sri Lanka’s unusually long tail. Although many of the bowlers are useful with the bat, they don’t have the luxury of a seventh batter in this match. Sri Lanka’s only chance of forcing a result will be to have a glorious batting day and draw level or build a small lead by teatime. However, with the pitch showing no signs of deterioration, a draw is the likely conclusion.How they were out
Caught on the crease by a full-length delivery that cut back.
Chopped ball on to the stumps with a lazy off-side drive.
Edged to the solitary slip while attempting to cut.

Rumours have been circulating of late in US cricket circles that Gladstone Dainty, the USA Cricket Association’s president, is about to start legal proceedings against the ICC. While that might seem far-fetched, Cricinfo has now learnt that Dainty might well be considering going to court over the late payment of a fee due to the board.The sum of around US$58,000 was a regular payment resulting from the USA’s status as an associate member of the ICC. The ICC’s relationship with the USACA has been extremely frosty of late, but as the official board, the ICC had an obligation to recognise it and deal with Dainty and his executive.Things came to a head in January when Malcolm Speed, the ICC’s chief executive, wrote to Dainty. “We have never seen a sporting organisation that combines such great potential and such poor administration as USACA,” he said. “From our observations, much of the blame for this lies with the current office-bearers of USACA including yourself. We question whether the current administration of USACA can play any constructive role in taking the game forward in the United States.”The USACA elections in March were, almost inevitably, controversial, and resulted in the emergence of two rival executives. One, under the control of Dainty and his supporters, was still officially presenting itself as the USACA board, while the other, containing a broader cross-section of stakeholders, set out its stall as being the true representatives of US stakeholders. To an outsider, Dainty’s board appears to have little credibility. It exists only because of the highly questionable suspension of three anti-Dainty candidates on a disputed minor technicality after the close of the poll, and has lost the support of the vast majority of those within the game there.As a result of this standoff, the Council of League Presidents, a hitherto fairly anonymous body, emerged as the main opposition to the Dainty board, and in Dallas on April 16 it set in motion a mechanism aimed at ending the tenure of Dainty and the establishment of a more democratic and accountable executive.One outcome of the CLP meeting was that the ICC was asked to suspend all payments to the USACA until the impasse had been resolved. One source told Cricinfo that the CLP were surprised not to receive any response to its request from the ICC. “In fact,” he added, “it was then learned that it was preparing to send that $58,000 the following day (April 18).” The ICC was contacted and, according to the source, the payment was held up after the situation was explained.Dainty, it seems, got wind of this, and allegedly called the Israeli representative on the ICC who, in turn, upped the pressure for the payment to be sent. Although the ICC has continued to delay, it seems unlikely that it can do so for much longer without being drawn into the domestic quagmire, something it will not allow to happen.Meanwhile, Dainty is coming under more fire on the home front with allegations that USACA funds accrued from membership subscriptions are being used to pay for attorneys to fight some of the board’s legal battles. The accounts have not been formally declared – one of the CLP’s major gripes – but it is reported that in the last fiscal year, the USACA ended up with a substantial deficit. With all the current problems, it is unlikely that there is much spare cash left in the kitty now.Against this backdrop, the USA squad is supposed to be preparing for this July’s ICC Trophy, the tournament in which success would provide them with a place in the 2007 World Cup. But without funds, the necessary preparations won’t happen, and there are growing concerns that the USA might even have to withdraw from the event.”We would like ICC to deny participation from the USA team in the ICC Trophy,” a local administrator said, “because any Dainty-sponsored USA team will be so riddled with nepotism and mismanagement that calling it a ‘USA team’ would be a joke. Ideally, we would like the ICC to name an individual to review all the irregularities that have gone on in the past few months, and render a verdict on what needs to happen to clean up the mess.”That plan looks to have legs, as there have been calls over the last two days for the CLP to go on the attack and issue a warning to all member clubs that any player agreeing to play for a team selected by Dainty’s board would be banned from playing league cricket again in 2005.Another person close to the toing and froing said that the ICC’s role was vital, and that there was a fear that if Dainty’s board got the money, then the struggle would be prolonged and the funds swallowed by legal fees. An emergency meeting has been called for June 4 when the old guard is likely to be removed, but whether they even recognise any such decision is another matter.Whereas the old USACA has been reluctant to work with any outside body – and most internal ones as well – the CLP has stated that it is willing to deal with “anyone, anywhere, at any time”, to end the current mess.There is a certain irony that in the world’s leading democracy, a few can hold out when all the rules of fair play suggest that they should be long gone, or at the very least, should explain exactly what is happening. Instead, Dainty has been silent, not answering any questions put to him.That he and his associates will be removed is certain. The worry is that by the time they finally depart, the damage to US cricket could be virtually irreparable.

John Buchanan, whose coaching contract expires in October, is confident of a renewal that will keep him in charge until after the World Cup. Buchanan, 52, told The Age discussions with Cricket Australia for a two-year deal were advanced and there were enough challenges to keep the world champions fresh after the Ashes tour.The Australians have been in camp this week tentatively planning for the England Tests and one-day tournaments, but they have also focussed beyond the trip, which starts tomorrow. “We’ve specifically avoided concentrating too much on this series because it’s a long tour,” Buchanan told the paper. “There will be time when we get there to really put our minds and training to what we’re going to do in England.”Buchanan said the side could still improve and use its skills more consistently, especially with its catching. “We can introduce some more tactics along the way that we’ve at least talked about and it’s now a case of how we implement those,” he said. “If myself or a player or the team believes that there aren’t new challenges and there aren’t things we can improve significantly in our games, then it’s time to move on.”The World Cup is already on Buchanan’s mind and he said he was hopeful of securing a place at the event following his discussions with Cricket Australia. “They’ve been good negotiations so far and I’m hopeful we’ll reach a conclusion on that as soon as we can,” he said. “With that in mind I’ve produced a blueprint for the World Cup 2007.”

Sri Lanka could pose a major threat to Australia’s supremacy in international cricket after picking Tom Moody as their new national coach, says skipper Marvan Atapattu.Sri Lanka are second behind Australia in the one-day rankings, but Atapattu hopes his team will now be able to threaten their position and put up a strong performance in the 2007 World Cup under Moody.”We are now No. 2 on the ICC’s one-day rankings. We need to go one notch up to get to the pinnacle and hope we’ll be able to achieve that with the new coach,” Atapattu told AFP on Tuesday. “He [Moody] has been part of a great team and has been highly regarded as a coach. I hope with his fresh ideas we’ll be able to achieve a higher level of consistency.”Moody, 39, who played significant roles as an allrounder in Australia’s World Cup triumphs in 1987 and 1999, was named as Sri Lanka’s new coach last week. Moody immediately set his sights on the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, saying his aim would be to make Sri Lanka more competitive, especially away from home.”Our main focus obviously will be on the World Cup,” Moody said last week. “I’d like to think that the journey between now and 2007 is a process towards a successful campaign in the West Indies. “We as a team should achieve one of the top three positions in Test standings and in order to get there we need to improve on our form at home and away. That will be one of my main areas of concern.”Moody, who played eight Tests and 76 one-dayers, will arrive here next month to prepare Sri Lanka for two home Test matches against the West Indies in July and then a triangular one-day series also featuring India.Chaminda Vaas echoed Atapattu’s sentiments, saying Moody’s presence will make the team stronger. “I appreciate his desire to succeed,” said Vaas. “He’s very young and aware of the requirements of the modern game. He knows how to get the best out of players. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his stint with the Sri Lankan players who will benefit from him a lot. What I like most about him is his preparation ahead of a game. I’ve been part of the Worcestershire dressing-room for a couple of months and I feel he’s a coach with a difference who will have an impact on the Sri Lankan side.”Vaas is currently playing county cricket for Worcestershire, where Moody is director of cricket, but with a “getaway” clause which will make him free to take on the new job. Moody was also in the running to coach India before losing out to his compatriot Greg Chappell.

Gloucestershire have signed Steve Adshead, a wicketkeeper/batsman, on a one-yearcontract as cover for Jack Russell.Adshead, 23, was on the Leicestershire staff 2000 to 2002 – he played one first-class match in 2000 and a handful of one-day games – and moved to Worcestershire, the county of his birth, for 2003. He played two Championship matches last season after Steve Rhodes was injured, scoring 63 against Glamorgan at Cardiff, but then lost his place to James Pipe.

Mickey Arthur, the newly appointed coach of South Africa, has asked his team to stick to their own gameplan on the tour to Australia in December 2005.”When we play against them at the end of the year I want the team to play our own game and not try and follow their play,” Arthur was quoted as saying in News24.com website. “When they bat at four runs per over I don’t want us to try and bat at four-and-a-half runs to the over. We should not worry about what they do, but rather play to our own strengths and as well as we possibly can.”The tour includes three Tests and a triangular series also involving Australia and Sri Lanka, and Arthur said that there was a possibility the team might leave a week early to fit in an extra warm-up game before the first Test, which starts on December 16. “We’d like to play such a game at the WACA where the Test is being played. The match against Western Australia can’t be played on that pitch because it will then be prepared for the Test.”Speaking about Australia’s below-average one-day show against England, Arthur said, “There seem to be a few cracks in the ODI team, but with the return of Shane Warne their Test side is still tops. What I do like, however, is that they are increasingly being put under pressure and they don’t seem to handle it very well. Their major problem is that the senior players are not performing as expected.”

Brett Lee has given Australia a fresh fitness worry ahead of the third Test on Thursday, following his admission into a Birmingham hospital late on Monday afternoon after experiencing swelling and discomfort in his left knee.Australia’s physiotherapist, Errol Alcott, told reporters at the team hotel that doctorswere confident Lee would respond to treatment for the infection, but he remained in hospital overnight, and that he would not travel with the team to Manchester this afternoon. Lee is presently on an intravenous drip and Alcott described his condition as “comfortable”, adding that the injury to Lee’s left knee may have been related to a cut he sustained while fielding during last month’s first Test at Lord’s.Asked about Lee’s chances of playing in the third Test, Alcott added: “He’s 50-50but that’s what I always say.” The injury first came to light before Lee batted on Sunday when he complained of soreness. He went onto score an unbeaten 43 that almost guided Australia to a stunning victory in the second Test at Edgbaston, a match England won by two runs to level the series at 1-1.Australia, the winners of the last eight Ashes series, are already facing up to the absence of their fast-bowling spearhead, Glenn McGrath, who sustained an ankle injury in the warm-up before the start of play last Thursday. “Glenn is proceeding as well as expected,” added Alcott. “He had a scan today and that showed extensive ligament damage, but we knew that anyway.”If Lee was to be ruled out, it would be a huge blow to Ricky Ponting’s team, who do have the uncapped paceman, Shaun Tait, in their squad as cover. Prior to Lee’s injury, Australia selectors were already discussing the possibility of calling up the allrounder, Shane Watson, who is playing for Hampshire.

Ricky Ponting may be happy with Australia’s performance but the side’s success means more selection difficulties for the New Zealand series.Darren Lehmann’s torn hamstring spared a tough call in Mumbai and he is again fighting for a place with Michael Clarke, who averaged 57 in his first series, and Simon Katich for the first Test, starting at Brisbane next Thursday.”I know Darren Lehmann still has a lot of good Test cricket left in him but when someone like Michael performs as well as he did on the last tour he looks to be the future of Australian cricket,” Ponting told reporters. “It’s going to be very hard for the selectors.”Ponting, who missed the first three Tests with a broken thumb, said he hoped Australia would play another series in India before 2010, when the next one is scheduled. “The most disappointing thing for me when I got injured at the start of this tour was that I had a very poor time last time. I’m sure that I have some very unfinished business in India.”He added that he was confident that Shane Warne would be fit to face New Zealand. “It seems he’s pretty likely to come up for the Brisbane Test. He believed that in 10 to 14 days, he should be right.”And after calling for an ICC inquiry into the state of the pitch for the fourth Test at Mumbai, Ponting was still critical of the wicket. “To have the whole series ruined by a very poor surface in the last Test was very disappointing for all the players and spectators.”

The Charity Commission has revealed that it is looking into proposals which would involve the demolition of the clubhouse at Southgate, the original home of Middlesex county cricket and one of the venues for currently used by the county. The venue was donated to the local community by the Walker brothers, who were an integral part of Middlesex’s early history, in 1855.The Walker Ground is protected by an old deed which prevents the sale or lease of the land, but the trustees believe that the future of the site would be guaranteed by a deal with a developer which would result in a new health club and spa being built. Enfield Council has also submitted an application which would see the clubhouse renovated and a new gym built on the site of existing squash courts.The ground’s trustees appear to be split, but one of them, Steve Young, told the Enfield Independent that said he believed the Walker brothers would be excited by the plans. “This action will enable the trust to be a viable entity managing a vibrant sporting community for the foreseeable future,” he said, “while retaining the predominance of cricket on the ground.”

Still annoyed with ICC selectors for overlooking him from the Super Series World XI squad against Australia, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan captain, today said he will not travel to Australia next month for the Captains’ Conference and the second ICC Annual Awards.Inzamam told PTI, “I have not yet made up my mind if I would play in the Super Series if given a late ticket, but I have definitely decided not to travel to Australia for Captains’ Conference and ICC Annual Awards. I have conveyed my decision to the concerned authorities.”Inzamam’s decision came a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board said it would back the captain if he decides to skip the Australian tour. Inzamam’s decision has also strengthened apprehensions that he might turn down a late invitation from the ICC to represent the World XI in place of an injured Sachin Tendulkar or Herschelle Gibbs.”I don’t think it would be a wise decision to take a long flight to and from Sydney for the Captains’ Conference when the same time can be better utilised to prepare for the home series against England. That is far more important than anything at the moment.”Michael Vaughan’s side, fresh from their Ashes success against Australia, arrive in Pakistan on October 26 for a three-Test and five-ODI series. When England last toured Pakistan in 2000, they won the three-Test series 1-0 while Pakistan clinched the ODI seriesInzamam added, “Instead of undergoing flight hazards, I have decided to pencil down my suggestions, opinions and recommendations and hand them over to the PCB so that they can forward them to the ICC.”Inzamam said it was a great honour for him to be nominated for three ICC awards. “I don’t think that I will win any award for the simple reason that if I get any award, it would be embarrassing for the selectors and I don’t think the ICC would put its selectors in a situation where they are left with no hiding place. Don’t you agree that it would be a bad publicity for the ICC or its selectors if winner of any of the three awards is originally overlooked from its World XI?”Inzamam, who averages over 50 in ODIs and 94.67 in Tests this year, has been nominated for Player of the Year, Test Player of the Year and ODI Player of the Year awards.