Sangakkara averages a shade under 50 in Test cricket

Kumar Sangakkara's magnificent unbeaten century in Wellington made sure Sri Lanka enjoyed the best of the first day in the second Test against New Zealand.

Sangakkara came in after opener Sanath Jayasuriya fell for a duck and went on to make 156 not out.

His only real support came from Chamara Silva, who scored 61 as the tourists were bowled out for 268.

But paceman Lasith Malinga then took three quick wickets as New Zealand slipped to 66-4 at the close in reply.

It was a frenetic day's cricket on a pitch which offered the bowlers plenty of assistance and 14 wickets fell, including six ducks.

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene's decision to bat first after winning the toss was a risky one, especially as his side were caught out on a seamer-friendly surface in the opening Test at Christchurch.

And they were soon in trouble when Jayasuriya edged Chris Martin to Stephen Fleming in the second over.

Martin (3-50) also picked up the wickets of Upul Tharanga and Jayawardene for seven and nought and when Chamara Kapugedera was caught off Jacob Oram for five, Sri Lanka were 81-4.

Sri Lanka skipper Jayawardene's innings lasted only four balls

Sangakkara adopted a positive approach right from the start of his innings and looked a class above the rest with a series of superbly timed strokes on both sides of the wicket.

His fifth wicket partnership with Silva added 121 to the total, with Silva achieving a maiden Test half century off 65 balls with six fours and a six shortly after Sangakkara had reached three figures.

But Silva was eventually tempted into playing at a ball from left-armer James Franklin which was angled across him and Fleming made no mistake at slip.

Prasanna Jayawardene contributed a useful 25 before he was leg-before to spinner Daniel Vettori, who also accounted for Farveez Maharoof and Malinga for figures of 3-53 as the Kiwis made short work of Sri Lanka's tail.

Sangakkara eventually ran out of partners when Muttiah Muralitharan gave a return catch to Shane Bond, but his 265-minute innings, which featured a six and 21 boundaries, was one of the best of his career.

New Zealand made a steady start in reply as Craig Cumming and Jamie How took the score to 30 before Maharoof made the breakthrough by bowling Cumming for 13.

The fiery Malinga then came into his own, winning an lbw decision against How (26) and having Fleming caught behind for nought in his next over.

Mathew Sinclair did well to survive a series of short-pitched deliveries and it looked as if he and Nathan Astle would see it through to the close.

But Malinga had other ideas and ended play for the day by bowling Astle for 17, giving him figures of 3-37 from 9.4 overs.

New Zealand: J How, C Cumming, M Sinclair, S Fleming (capt) N Astle, J Oram, B McCullum (wkt), D Vettori, J Franklin, S Bond, C Martin