Vaas took all four wickets for the tourists

Lou Vincent and Stephen Fleming shared an unbroken century stand to put New Zealand in a strong position in the second Test against Sri Lanka.

They were 253-4, a lead of 42, when fog ended play early in Wellington, with Vincent 79 not out and Fleming on 60.

The pair came together after Chaminda Vaas dismissed Craig Cumming and Nathan Astle with successive deliveries.

Left-armer Vaas had figures of 4-69, having removed brothers Hamish and James Marshall earlier in the day.

The Kiwis had resumed on 52-0, having bowled out the tourists for 211 on the opening day when fast bowler Chris Martin claimed 6-54.

But they had only added nine runs to the total when James Marshall was lbw to Vaas for 28.

It was soon 70-2 as Marshall's twin followed for six when he edged a catch to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.

Vincent was promoted to number four because Fleming has a knee injury and he made the most of his opportunity, taking the senior partner's role as he and Cumming added 83 either side of lunch.

Fleming made a welcome return to form for the Kiwis

Cumming faced 157 balls for his 47 but was denied a half century when he was trapped in front by a superb inswinger from Vaas.

Astle's innings lasted as long as it took him to walk to the middle, take guard and face up to his first ball as debutant Shantha Kalavitigoda took the catch to give Vaas his fourth success.

It proved to be Sri Lanka's last of the day, however, as Fleming finally emerged from the dressing room and joined Vincent in adding exactly 100 in 35 overs.

He showed few signs of discomfort, moving confidently onto front and back foot to collect eight boundaries.

Both he and Vincent took 95 balls to reach fifty and when play was halted, they had put their side in position to build a sizeable first innings lead.

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