Tim McIntosh scored a patient half-century as New Zealand reached 137-3 at lunch on the third day of the first Test on Thursday.
The match started 90 minutes behind schedule for a third day because of morning rain at Galle International Stadium.
Resuming the day on 87-2 McIntosh and night watchman Jeetan Patel batted cautiously against Sri Lanka’s reputed spinners, putting on 49 runs for the third wicket as New Zealand set out to match the hosts’ first innings score of 452.
Muttiah Muralitharan made the breakthrough when he trapped the stubborn Patel lbw for 26.
McIntosh remained unbeaten on 53, facing 161 balls and hitting six boundaries. Ross Taylor will resume the second session on 6.
New Zealand fought back over the final two sessions on the second day Wednesday, preventing Sri Lanka from getting the massive score they threatened.
Seamer Chris Martin and spinner Daniel Vettori took four wickets each as Sri Lanka, having approached 400 losing just four wickets, lost their last six wickets for 66 runs.
Thilan Samaraweera top-scored with 159 off 277 balls including 24 boundaries and a six. Mahela Jayawardene made 114 and Tillakaratne Dilshan set up the momentum for Sri Lanka’s batting with a quickfire 92 off 72 balls.
Martin Guptill (24) was the first Kiwi batsman to be dismissed on Wednesday as he played a ball from seamer Thilan Thushara onto his stumps. Daniel Flynn (14) was bowled by spinner Ajantha Mendis approaching stumps.
