Sri Lanka took charge of the second test after bowling out New Zealand for 221 on the opening day at the Basin Reserve.

At tea, New Zealand were struggling at 192 for seven, having lost five for 99 in a busy middle session. The hosts then mounted little resistance after the break and will soon take their turn with the ball.

Having resumed after lunch at 93 for two, after being sent in, New Zealand’s two most senior players, Ross Taylor and captain Brendon McCullum were dismissed within seven deliveries in similar fashion.

Taylor chopped a ball from the impressive seamer Nuwan Pradeep onto his leg stump, having made 35 in brisk fashion.

McCullum, back at the scene of his greatest personal triumph - 302 to save a test against India last February - was gone second ball, cutting hard at Suranga Lakmal and edging onto his stumps without scoring.

In the first over after the drinks break, Jimmy Neesham drove at Pradeep and gave wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene his third catch.

It didn’t end there, as wicketkeeper BJ Watling dabbed an attempted cut at medium pacer Angelo Mathews to be caught at first slip; and Kane Williamson, having got to 69 and in sight of his ninth test hundred, joined the chop-on club, diverting a ball from Dhammika Prasad onto his leg stump.

At that point, New Zealand had lost five for 41 in the space of 73 balls.

The first hour after lunch had produced rapid scoring as Williamson and Taylor unfurled some handsome strokes, while also being beaten on occasion.

Pradeep, who missed selection for the first test, troubled the batsmen with movement off the pitch and had taken three for 53 while Lakmal, the pick of the attack in the first test in Christchurch last week, which New Zealand won by eight wickets, had two for 57.

- NZ Herald