Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene hit centuries as Sri Lanka fought back in the first Test against New Zealand, reports BBC. The visitors were 351-3 at stumps on the third day, replying to the Kiwis' 561, with a draw now likely in Napier. Atapattu (127) reached 5,000 Test runs and became the fourth man to make tons against all the Test-playing nations. He shared a record third-wicket stand of 184 with Jayawardene (118 not out) after Chris Martin removed Sanath Jayasuriya (48) and Kumar Sangakkara. Resuming on 48-0, Sri Lanka made good progress until Martin trapped Jayasuriya lbw and then bowled wicketkeeper Sangakkara (5) off an inside edge four balls later. But from 101-2, Atapattu and Jayawardene teamed up to break Sidat Wettimuny and Roy Dias' third-wicket record of 159 against the Black Caps in the 1983-84 season. The duo used excellent footwork to collect the majority of their runs with firm drives through the covers. They were also able to step across their wicket and turn full-pitched deliveries on off-stump through the largely vacant leg-side field. Skipper Atapattu crawled to his half-century in 119 deliveries but accelerated after lunch, reaching his 16th Test hundred off 196 balls when he pulled Kyle Mills for his 17th boundary. Jayawardene, by contrast, made a flying start and reached his half-century at almost a run a ball, before registering his 13th Test hundred from 157 deliveries. Atapattu's 244-ball innings, which lasted more than six hours, finally ended when he was caught by Stephen Fleming off Nathan Astle.
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