Agencies

Wellington, April 13:

Lou Vincent’s magnificent 224, the seventh-highest Test score by a New Zealander, left Sri Lanka looking down the barrel of a series defeat as their opponents piled up a mountainous 522/9 declared in the second Test here today.

Chris Martin then added to Sri Lanka’s misery by firing out Sanath Jayasuriya to leave them in desperate trouble on 10 for 1, still trailing by 301 runs with two days to play.

He had crawled along during a wet, windy and cold first session, adding just 14 runs and finishing on 93 from 219 balls, but the departure of Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum in quick succession shortly before lunch proved the turning point – perhaps as much for his career as this game – as he was forced out of his shell.

During the afternoon he sped along, collecting an additional 131 runs in 129 balls. During the spree he notched his highest first-class score and his maiden double-century. He also shared crucial lower-order stands of 48 with James Franklin (15), a record 98 with Kyle Mills (31), and 59 with Paul Wiseman (32 not out) that left Sri Lanka deeply frustrated.

In all he cracked 25 fours and four sixes, including an enormous straight drive off Jayasuriya that landed in the top tier.

When Chaminda Vaas (6-108) fired out Fleming and McCullum with consecutive deliveries before rain forced the players off for an early lunch, the lead was a moderate 83 and Sri Lanka sniffed a chance to pull themselves back into the game. But Vincent quickly stole back the initiative with Franklin and his lower-order colleagues.