Mathews' century saves Sri Lanka's batting blushes

Napier - An unbeaten century by Angelo Mathews saved Sri Lanka from an embarrassing batting collapse Saturday on the first day of a three-day tour match against a New Zealand XI.

Mathews made 128 not, leading Sri Lanka to 210-9 in their first innings after they had been in a desperate position at 106-9. He scored 104 in an unbroken stand for the 10th wicket with last man Lahiru Kumara, who ended 12 not out, contributing more than 60 percent of the Sri Lanka total.

Sri Lanka's fightback continued when they reduced the New Zealand XI to 67-4 at stumps with Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dusmantha Chameera and Dilruwan Perera sharing the wickets on a good batting pitch at McLean Park.

Five Sri Lanka batsmen made ducks on Saturday before Mathews led the revival. The first Test against New Zealand starts in Wellington on December 15.