Kiwis pile up 283 for 8

Sampath BANDARA

Superb half centuries by Jeetan Patel (68 not out), Ross Taylor (75) and Martin Guptill (54) helped the touring New Zelanders to reach 283 for 8 wickets at close of play in the first day of the three day warm up match against Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI which began at Nondescripts cricket Ground yesterday.

Jeetan Patel scored 68 runs not out in 94 balls with 6 boundaries and one six. He was also involved in a 50 runs ninth wickets partnership with J.E.O. Brien.

Ross Taylor batted well and scored 75 runs including nine boundaries and two sixes. Martin Guptill collected 54 runs with nine fours.

A remarkable feature of the first day's play was six Leg Before Wicket decisions (LBWs) in a single innings.

Prasanna bagged three wickets for 66 runs, opening bowler Dammika Prasad took 2 wicket for 43 runs, Tharanga Lakshitha, Suraj Randiv and Jeewan Mendis obtained one wicket each.

New Zealanders won the toss and chose to bat first.