Cricket: Wiseman shines as Sri Lanka fall to spin

By Martin Smith in Colombo

New Zealand 305 & 444-6 dec Sri Lanka 285 & 297 New Zealand win by 167 runs

AN already depressed home side suffered further misery as New Zealand cruised to a comfortable 167-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test here yesterday.

Resuming from an overnight 111 for 2, Sri Lanka appeared to be on the road to recovery as they took lunch at 194 without further loss. But in a dramatic afternoon session, they lost six wickets to slump to 279 for 8.

"They played better cricket than us," said a dejected Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. "Fleming and McMillan were in total control of the game."

New Zealand off-spinner Paul Wiseman took 5 for 82, while left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori captured 3 for 101.

Vettori sparked the Sri Lankan collapse, trapping former vice-captain Aravinda de Silva leg before to leave Sri Lanka at 194 for 3.

Three overs later, he pulled off a return catch to dismiss Arjuna Ranatunga for nine, and Wiseman then took the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene for 54.

Vettori struck a third time when he had Ruwan Kalpage brilliantly caught by a diving Bryan Young at silly point.

Shortly before tea, Romesh Kaluwitharana edged a ball to Adam Parore off medium-pacer Craig McMillan. Chris Cairns then dismissed Pramadoya Wickramasinghe for a duck, caught by Young at second slip.

The World Cup holders then added just 18 runs after tea before being bowled out for 297.