Sri Lanka lead New Zealand by 18 runs in first Test

Sri Lanka took a slender 18-run lead after the first innings as they were bowled out for 267 on day three of the first Test here on Friday.

Sri Lanka owed their recovery largely to the eighth-wicket stand between Niroshan Dickwella and Suranga Lakmal. At 161 for seven, it looked an uphill task for the hosts to match New Zealand's total of 249.

But Dickwella and Lakmal added 81 runs for the eighth wicket in an entertaining stand. New Zealand kept attacking but the two Sri Lankans repeatedly found the boundary, forcing the Kiwis to spread the field.

Trent Boult was called up to have a crack with the second new ball and immediately he had Lakmal in trouble, hitting him on the right elbow with a rising delivery.

The blow shook up Lakmal and a couple of deliveries later he was bowled off an inside edge for 40. Dickwella went on to complete his 12th Test half-century before we was caught by Kane Williamson on 61 off the bowling of William Somerville.

Ajaz Patel finished up with five wickets and was well supported by off-spinner Somerville, who claimed three wickets. Boult accounted for the other two dismissals.