Signs weren’t great for New Zealand when run machine Ross Taylor departed to the first ball he faced.

And the situation didn’t improve a lot from there as the Black Caps were dismissed for a sub-par 249 by Sri Lanka early on day two of the first cricket test at Galle.

They lasted just 70 minutes as their last five wickets fell for 44 runs, none of them to Sri Lankan offspinner Akila Dananjaya who took all his on the first day to end with 5-80 and cause the tourists major headaches.

After winning the toss, New Zealand resumed on 203-5 and the test delicately poised, with a first innings total of 300-plus the tourists’ minimum target on a pitch taking turn and sure to worsen.

Instead they were again put under pressure by Sri Lanka’s bowlers on a ground where the average bat-first total in test cricket is 401, and need a flying start with the ball to hit back. The last seven Galle tests have been won by the bat first team.

Taylor took guard on 86 after a superb day one knock, in sight of his 19th test century which would move him within one of his captain Kane Williamson.

He went for his favourite cut shot first ball to Sri Lanka’s swing bowler Suranga Lakmal but it was too close and bounced, as he got a thick edge behind.

Mitchell Santner (13) made a promising start but departed cheaply, too, when he badly misjudged one from Lakmal around the wicket angling in and didn’t offer a shot.

Then it got comical as Tim Southee (14), who clouted his 69th test six to draw level with Sachin Tendulkar at 17th on the all-time list, wandered aimlessly out of his crease and was run out after an lbw shout.

Trent Boult (18 off 22) was promoted ahead of Ajaz Patel to No 10 and also cleared the rope once. He managed to get the ball jammed in his helmet grille, too, but when he holed out to long on it was all but over.

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