COLOMBO, April 27: Sri Lanka’s new captain Hashan Tillekeratne struck an unbeaten 71 to help his team recover from a stuttering start in their first innings reply on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday.

Tillekeratne, in his first game as skipper, shared an unbroken stand of 133 with Mahela Jayawardene to guide Sri Lanka to 267 for four by the close, just 49 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.

There were also good contributions from Sanath Jayasuriya, with 50, and Kumar Sangakkara, 67, as the home side replied to New Zealand’s daunting 515 for seven declared.

Jayawardene was unbeaten on 58 when rain ended play on a day that began badly for the home side when nightwatchman Chaminda Vaas was dismissed in the fourth over, caught at slip by Stephen Fleming off fast bowler Shane Bond.

From 11 for two, Sri Lanka appeared to have recovered as Jayasuriya and Sangakkara both hit fifties in a third-wicket partnership of 103. But neither could capitalise and New Zealand were back in charge as the home side slipped to 134 for four.

The left-handed Jayasuriya, who resigned as captain after the Sharjah Cup to be replaced by Tillekeratne, fell just after lunch for 50, bowled by Bond.

Sangakkara went soon afterwards when he was caught by Jacob Oram at extra cover off spinner Paul Wiseman, attempting his third boundary of the over.

Sangakkara hit 14 fours in his 67, although he had two lucky escapes, a return catch to Bond on 11 and another chance to Stephen Fleming at first slip when on 23.

But Jayawardene, who hit eight boundaries, redeemed himself after spilling several catches on Saturday while Tillekeratne, well known for his adhesive qualities at the crease, hit 13 fours in 135 balls.

Sri Lanka lost opener Marvan Atapattu for a duck before bad light curtailed play on Saturday, after Fleming’s Test-best 274 not out helped the visitors to their large total.

Scoreboard

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings) 515-7 declared (S.P. Fleming 274 not out, M.H. Richardson 85, S.B. Styris 63).