Marshall twins put Kiwis in command

Fledgling Test cricketer Hamish Marshall added a second Test century to his blossoming credentials as New Zealand built a solid base in the ...

Fledgling Test cricketer Hamish Marshall added a second Test century to his blossoming credentials as New Zealand built a solid base in the first Test against Sri Lanka here today.

Marshall, who began the day with an impressive average of 54 from five Tests, was unbeaten on 133 when bad light brought an early end to play with New Zealand on 267 for three.

Nathan Astle was 37 not out, adding an unbroken 80 with Marshall in 17 overs for the fourth wicket.

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After a pedestrian first session when New Zealand reached 61 for one off 29 overs, they added 114 off 30 overs in the middle two hours and 82 in the final session before play was called off with six scheduled overs remaining.

Hamish Marshall and his identical twin James laid a sound base for the New Zealand innings, coming together after the early dismissal of Craig Cumming and putting on 107 in 140 minutes before James Marshall was caught for 52 off the bowling of leg-spinner Upul Chandana.

It was James Marshall’s highest score in just his third Test innings, and was scored in 199 minutes off 149 balls, including five fours on the easy wicket.

“The deck’s not bad,” he said. “It maybe a touch slow but the bounce is consistant and there’s not too much seam movement.”

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As the life dried out of the pitch through the day, and the outfield quickened, the Marshall twins scored freely, forcing Marvan Atapattu to turn to his spinners.

Brief scores: New Zealand 1st Innings 267 for 3 wkts (J Marshall 52, H Marshall 133no, N Astle 37no; Vaas 1/63, Malinga 1/37, Chandana 1/61) vs Sri Lanka.