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SYDNEY, Apr 5 (Reuters): Hamish Marshall and Nathan Astle both made centuries while Brendon McCullum fell agonisingly short as New Zealand took control of the opening test with Sri Lanka at Napier Tuesday.
Pounded by the Australians last month, the home batsmen rediscovered their form against a Sri Lankan bowling attack desperately missing the injured Muttiah Muralitharan, piling on 561, their sixth highest total in test cricket.
Sri Lanka wiped 48 runs off the deficit without loss by stumps on the second day to trail by 513 at McLean Park. Captain Marvan Atapattu was on 14 with Sanath Jayasuriya on 31 when bad light stopped play early.
New Zealand's marathon first innings finally ended after tea. Marshall top-scored with a career-best 160 while Nathan Astle made 114, his 10th test hundred, after the Kiwis resumed on 267 for three.
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