New Zealand loses Conway early in pursuit of 275 runs and wins first Test

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka made an early breakthrough after setting New Zealand a target of 275 runs to win the first Test as the tourists went 13-1 at lunchtime on the fourth day and needed another 262 runs on Sunday.

Seamer Asitha Fernando quickly found his rhythm and a way through the defence of left-handed opener Devon Conway to take the opening throw for four.

Sri Lanka almost made a double breakthrough before the break when spinner Prabath hit the outside edge of Tom Latham’s bat, but wicket-keeper Kusal Mendis failed to convert the sharp chance.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel ran through Sri Lanka’s lower orders on Sunday, taking six wickets for 90 runs after bowling unchanged from the City End.

It is the best bowling performance by a New Zealander in Sri Lanka since left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori took six for 64 in Colombo in 1998.

The hosts resumed play on Sunday at 237-4 with Ajaz dismissing both overnight batters. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva (40) was stumped by Tom Blundell while Angelo Mathews (50) was dismissed after a solid half-century when he was caught at slip.

There was not much resistance from the back and Mitchell Santner of the Dutch Fort End took the last wicket of Jayasuriya in his first over of the day.

The fourth day’s matches will continue behind closed doors in Galle as a precautionary nationwide curfew has been imposed during the country’s presidential election.

Due to the elections, Saturday was a rest day in the friendly match.

___

AP Cricket: