New Zealand remained on top in the first Test against Sri Lanka after taking four wickets on day two.

A total of 431 gave the hosts a good platform in Dunedin and they twice took two quick wickets – all four batsmen caught behind – to put Sri Lanka in trouble.

But opener Dimuth Karunaratne made a defiant 84 and Dinesh Chandimal ended the day 83 not out to leave Sri Lanka 197 for four at stumps.

New Zealand resumed on 409 for eight after Martin Guptill’s innings of 156 and added another 22 to their total, Doug Bracewell reaching a Test-best 47 before he was last man out.

They made swift inroads into the Sri Lanka innings with two wickets in the first 13 overs, Kusal Mendis and debutant Udara Jayasundera falling for one and eight respectively as the tourists limped to 38 for two at lunch.

They rebuilt, though, with a stand of 122 between Karunaratne and Chandimal. Only 10 runs came from the first eight overs after lunch but both batsman were rewarded for their patient approach.

Karunaratne was on 42 from 132 balls before he struck two boundaries in the same Neil Wagner over, the second straight back between the bowler and non-striker, to bring up a hard-won half-century.

Chandimal followed with a quick single off Mitchell Santner from the 143rd ball he faced, having hit only three boundaries, but just two overs later Karunaratne was gone.

Sixteen short of a century, he went back to cut Santner but was cramped for room and could only toe-end the ball to wicketkeeper BJ Watling, who took his third catch.

And a fourth soon followed for the gloveman as Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews was initially given not out but opposite number Brendon McCullum referred the decision and the Hot-Spot technology showed the thinnest trace of an inside edge on Tim Southee’s leg-side delivery.

That was 156 for four and a near-strokeless vigil from Kithuruwan Vithanage was just what was required to see Sri Lanka through to stumps – though he was badly dropped by Kane Williamson at short cover as the usually reliable fielder failed to pick up a mis-timed drive.

Vithanage survived on 10 not out and had put on 41 with Chandimal by the close.

(The Guardian)