ATAPATTU FACTFILE Born: 22/11/70, Kalutara Test debut: v India, Chandigrath, 1990 Matches: 80 Runs: 5,000 Average: 40.32 100s: 16

Marvan Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene hit centuries as Sri Lanka fought back in the first Test against New Zealand.

The visitors were 351-3 at stumps on the third day, replying to the Kiwis' 561, with a draw now likely in Napier.

Atapattu (127) reached 5,000 Test runs and became the fourth man to make tons against all the Test-playing nations.

He shared a record third-wicket stand of 184 with Jayawardene (118 not out) after Chris Martin removed Sanath Jayasuriya (48) and Kumar Sangakkara.

Resuming on 48-0, Sri Lanka made good progress until Martin trapped Jayasuriya lbw and then bowled wicketkeeper Sangakkara (5) off an inside edge four balls later.

But from 101-2, Atapattu and Jayawardene teamed up to break Sidat Wettimuny and Roy Dias' third-wicket record of 159 against the Black Caps in the 1983-84 season.

I knew I was capable of scoring runs at this level and the faith in me helped me come back into the side Marvan Atapattu More reaction

The duo used excellent footwork to collect the majority of their runs with firm drives through the covers.

They were also able to step across their wicket and turn full-pitched deliveries on off-stump through the largely vacant leg-side field.

Skipper Atapattu crawled to his half-century in 119 deliveries but accelerated after lunch, reaching his 16th Test hundred off 196 balls when he pulled Kyle Mills for his 17th boundary.

Jayawardene, by contrast, made a flying start and reached his half-century at almost a run a ball, before registering his 13th Test hundred from 157 deliveries.

Atapattu's 244-ball innings, which lasted more than six hours, finally ended when he was caught by Stephen Fleming off Nathan Astle.

By then he had joined Gary Kirsten, Steve Waugh and Sachin Tendulkar in making centuries against nine countries.

Thilan Samaraweera (34) continued the good work with Jayawardene to take the tourists to within 11 runs of avoiding the follow-on before play ended 13 minutes early because of bad light.

With the placid McLean Park pitch offering little encouragement to the bowlers, the batsmen will be looking to boost their averages on the last two days.

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (Capt), Craig Cumming, James Marshall, Hamish Marshall, Lou Vincent, Nathan Astle, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Paul Wiseman, Chris Martin.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath.

Umpires: Darrell Hair (Australia), Steve Bucknor (W Indies).