Match scorecard Match report

Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu said his team could have won the Napier Test had Stephen Fleming not come to New Zealand's rescue on the final day.

Nursing an injured hand, Fleming hit a vital 41 in more than two-and-a-half hours to keep the tourists at bay.

Atapattu also praised seamer Lasith Malinga, who took 9-120 in the match.

He said: "When someone doesn't have a conventional action and is unorthodox, that's what happens. He's so special when he's at his best."

Before Fleming's intervention, Sri Lanka had a chance of chasing down a score of 250-odd in two sessions - though bad light ultimately intervened.

The touring side's captain went on: "Four runs an over on this type of wicket, even though it is a fifth-day wicket, is not difficult and we fancied our chances.

"Although they made 561 [in the first innings] I thought we could have some sort of chance.

"Our main aim was to get past the follow-on, which we did, and then see what happened. On this track, chasing a big target was definitely possible."

It was never easy bowling out there Lasith Malinga

Meanwhile, Fleming has asked the umpires to wear light-coloured trousers in Monday's second Test at Wellington.

He says Malinga delivers the ball low and in front of the umpire's black trousers - which makes it tough for his batsmen.

"We can't see him - there's a period there when he's delivering when it gets lost in the trousers," said the New Zealand captain.

On Friday's final day Fleming asked Bucknor to tie a white jersey around his waist as a mini sightscreen.

Malinga said: "I'm very happy with the way I bowled.