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New
Zealand captain, Stephen Fleming joining Richardson saw the visitors
to launch with a score of 58 runs for one wicket.
The
second session saw, Mahela Jayawardena at first slip failing to accept
a straightforward chance offered by Richardson off Muralitharan with
the batsman on 34. The second wicket pair went on to add a further 73
runs without parting company. When tea was taken the visitors were 131
for one wicket with Richardson and Fleming notching up their
respective half centuries.
The
re-called wicket-keeper-batsman, Romesh Kaluwitharana let go another
opportunity of breaking the second wicket stand when he dropped
Richardson, this time on 64, again off Muralitharan in the final
session. A Chaminda Vaas delivery, that cut in sharply rattled the
stumps of Richardson in the last half hour of the first days play.
Richardson's contribution was a charmed 85 runs accumulated in 260
balls and it contained 7 fours and a six . The second wicket stand
between Richardson and Fleming realised a valuable 172 runs. Stephen
Fleming playing a responsible captain's innings, reached his fifth
Test ton without offering any chances.
When
stumps were dawn at the end of the first day's proceedings, New
Zealand were 207 for 2 wickets with Fleming and Sinclair unbeaten on
112 and 4 respectively.
Fleming
faced 248 deliveries and hit 14 boundaries occupying the wicket for
315 minutes.
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