Malinga (left) finished with bowling figures of 5-80

The first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka has been declared a draw after bad light stopped play shortly after tea on day five.

The Black Caps had been reduced to 238 all out in their second innings - a lead of 301 - and Sri Lanka were 7-0 in response when play was stopped.

Lasith Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers on Friday, ending up with career-best figures of 5-80.

Lou Vincent top-scored for New Zealand with his 52.

His side had resumed on 64-2 but crumbled to 148-7 by lunch, while Stephen Fleming retired hurt after being hit on the hand.

The New Zealand skipper did, however, return to the action after lunch and scored 41 to steer his side out of danger.

Malinga made an early breakthrough on Friday when he dismissed nightwatchman Paul Wiseman almost immediately.

He's so special when he's at his best Marvan Atapattu on Lasith Malinga Quotes: Match reaction

James Marshall, who had scored 39, then followed in similar fashion but this time courtesy of the bowling of Sanath Jayasuriya.

Jayasuriya then took another vital wicket when he ran out Nathan Astle, who had scored a first-innings century, before removing Brendon McCullum, who was caught at slip.

Malinga, though, made the final pre-lunch mark when he bowled James Franklin.

After the break Fleming and Vincent helped to steady the home side before the latter was bowled by Upul Chandana.

But after Vincent's departure, Kyle Mills continued the lower-order resistance with a quickfire knock of 22.

Mills' 31-ball innings was ended by Rangana Herath, who had him caught by Jayasuriya, and the New Zealand innings was appropriately finished by Malinga, who grabbed the key wicket of Fleming.

Sri Lanka briefly tried to respond to New Zealand's lead before the autumn light encroached.

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 (West Indies).