Five-star Herath bamboozles Black Caps

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Rangana Herath claimed 5-65 as New Zealand were bowled out for 221 on day one of the first Test to continue their miserable tour of Sri Lanka.

Having lost a rain-hit series of five one-day internationals 3-0, the Black Caps continued to toil in Galle despite half-centuries from Brendon McCullum and Daniel Flynn.

The hosts responded by reaching nine for one at the close as Tim Southee removed debutant Dimuth Karunaratne for a duck.

Spinner Rangana Herath claimed 5-65 to help Sri Lanka gain the upper hand on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at Galle

New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor won the toss and saw his openers race along to 29 in the sixth over - but they were soon in trouble when Shaminda Eranga made a double breakthrough.

Martin Guptill edged a full delivery to Angelo Matthews at second slip and, two balls later, Eranga left Kane Williamson fencing at a shorter ball that Tharanga Paranavitana juggled before holding on at first slip.

It got worse for New Zealand when Taylor feathered an inside edge from a Nuwan Kulasekara off-cutter onto his stumps.

McCullum and Flynn combined in a 90-run stand for the fourth wicket until Herath stole back the initiative in the afternoon session.

The left-arm spinner produced his best to get McCullum, who had been untroubled in reaching 68 with eight fours and a pair of sixes.

When the opener went to drive at a full delivery, Herath got just enough grip and turn to take the top of off stump. The tweaker then trapped James Franklin, who took 43 balls to eke out three, lbw when the ball straightened into his pads.

Flynn reached his half-century soon after, but his resolute stay was ended for the addition of three further runs by Herath with the final ball before tea; the left-hander got a thick edge that wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene pouched.

Doug Bracewell and Kruger van Wyk put on 26 before the former edged Herath to Mahela Jayawardene at slip, and the spinner then bowled van Wyk to complete his five-wicket haul.

Southee made 16 before becoming Eranga’s third victim, while Jeetan Patel and Trent Boult put on 14 for the last wicket - only for Kulasekara to bowl the latter with the new ball.

Karunaratne’s first Test innings lasted only three runless deliveries but nightwatchman Suraj Randiv saw Sri Lanka through the remainder of their five-over stint unharmed.