Bad light puts brakes on Sri Lanka charge

SYDNEY, Dec 17 (Reuters) Chamara Silva's unbeaten 152 helped Sri Lanka post an imposing target of 504 for New Zealand when bad light stopped play before tea on the third day of the second and final test match in Wellington today.

Resuming after a 40-minute rain delay on their overnight 225 for five, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 365 with Chamara left stranded in only his second test after bagging a pair in his debut in Christchurch two weeks ago.

Daniel Vettori finished with 7-130, his 13th five-wicket haul in tests, before the New Zealand openers reached nine for no loss when they accepted the offer of bad light from the umpires. The only wicket to fall in the morning session was that of Prasanna Jayawardene, who skied a short Chris Martin delivery into the hands of substitute fielder Stu Mills for 37 having added 94 with Silva for the sixth wicket.

Silva and Chaminda Vaas (47) then added 88 before the latter was stumped by Brendon McCullum off Vettori, and the spinner then wrapped up the Sri Lankan tail with three wickets in four balls to dismiss Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Silva faced 219 balls and struck 20 boundaries in his five-and-a-half hour innings.

Craig Cumming was one not out and Jamie How eight when play was halted.

New Zealand won the first test by five wickets.

REUTERS SAM RN0939