Centuries from Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls put New Zealand in line for a defining victory over Sri Lanka on Friday in the second Test with a 659-run second innings lead and the tourists losing early wickets in their record chase.
New Zealand, which led by 74 on first innings, declared its second innings on day three in Christchurch at 585 for four with Latham scoring 176 to go with his unbeaten 264 in the drawn first Test.
Nicholls was not out on a career best 162 with healthy contributions from Jeet Raval (74) and Colin de Grandhomme (71 not out).
Sri Lanka was 24 for two at stumps with Dinesh Chandimal on 14 and Kusal Mendis on six.
With more than two days left, Sri Lanka had reason for patience but lost both openers, Dimuth Karunaratne (0) and Danushka Gunathilaka (four), in the first two overs.
Sri Lanka, however, was less effective with the ball and de Grandhomme in particular was scoring freely when Kane Williamson declared midway through the final session.
de Grandhomme, who had six fours and two sixes in his whirlwind innings, passed the 50 mark off a New Zealand record 28 deliveries, one better than the previous best by Tim Southee against England 10 years ago.
New Zealand resumed on Friday at 231 for two and Latham, whose unbeaten 264 in the drawn first Test is the top score in all Test cricket this year, continued his purple patch.
