Kiwis in command at Christchuch

First Test Match,
Christchurch,
Sri Lanka 154 & 125-8 (K C Sangakkara 63 no, S E Bond 4-38) v New Zealand 206 (D L Vettori 63, M Muralitharan 4-65)

Another batting collapse by the top order in Christchurch has left Sri Lanka on the brink of defeat to New Zealand.

The Kiwis held a 52-run advantage from the first innings, largely thanks to Daniel Vettori's 63, as New Zealand resumed the day on 85-2.

Some fine bowling from Muttiah Muralitharan, who ended up with four wickets, and Chaminda Vaas, who finished with three, saw the hosts lose four wickets for just seven runs in the morning.

But Vettori and Stephen Fleming rallied to share a seventh-wicket stand of 75 before the New Zealand tail capitulated with four wickets falling for 18 runs.

Sri Lanka responded by coming out to attack, as Sanath Jayasuriya got his team's second innings off to a flyer with a quick-fire 10.

He was unlucky to be run out when his opening partner Upul Tharanga drove a full ball back towards the stumps only for Shane Bond to stretch out a hopeful hand and divert the ball onto the stumps with Jayasuriya caught out of the crease.

Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara took the score to 44 before Bond struck again to take his fourth wicket of the match, dismissing the second opener for 24, thanks to a smart catch from Fleming.

More outstanding bowling from Bond saw the tourists reduced to 46-5, as captain Mahela Jayawardene came and went without troubling the scorers off the bowling of James Franklin.

It was Bond who fittingly bagged the 16th wicket of the day, as Sri Lanka were reduced to 125-8 at stumps.

He ended up with figures of 4-38 and will be hopeful of finishing the job on day three.

Sangakkara remains unbeaten on 63, however, and with Lasith Malinga in support, and the pair will hope to increase their 73-run lead to give the bowlers something to play with for the Kiwis second innings.