Opener Tom Latham’s unbeaten century put New Zealand in charge of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday, as the Black Caps raced past the tourists’ first-innings total and looked to build an imposing lead.
Latham was 121 not out at stumps on day two with New Zealand cruising at 311 for two in reply to Sri Lanka’s modest 282.
Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson narrowly missed out on his own century, falling for 91, and all New Zealand’s batsmen got good starts, with Jeet Raval making 43 and Ross Taylor not out on 50. Latham, who got his seventh Test century, combined with Williamson for a 162-run partnership.
While he Sri Lanka attack worked hard, it could not build pressure and the two New Zealand wickets that fell were the result of rash shots from Raval and Williamson.
Dickwella left stranded
Earlier, Sri Lanka added just seven to its overnight total before Tim Southee coaxed an inside edge off Kumara to claim a six-wicket innings haul. Kumara’s departure for a duck left Dickwella stranded on 80 not out after he led a rearguard action for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, ranked sixth in the world, has lost their last five Tests against New Zealand.
