Malinga ripped through the cream of New Zealand's batting

Sri Lanka took a firm grip of the second Test against New Zealand, leading by 363 runs after day two.

The tourists were 225-5 in their second innings in Wellington after New Zealand had gone from an overnight 66-4 to 130 all out earlier in the day.

Paceman Lasith Malinga finished with 5-69 as the Black Caps lasted 39 overs.

Chamara Silva, in only his second Test, then hit an unbeaten 79 to go with his vital 61 on the first day while Daniel Vettori took 3-101 for the Kiwis.

Sri Lanka now look likely to come from behind to square the series, as they did in England earlier this year.

Wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum top-scored with 43 for the home side, in what was otherwise a sub-standard batting performance on a benign wicket. Muttiah Muralitharan supported Malinga well, taking 4-31 including three lbws.

The New Zealand batsmen had no answer to the bouncers and yorkers of Malinga at one end, and could not read Muralitharan's spin at the other, as they crumbled to be all out before lunch.

They might have been bowled out for less than 100 had McCullum not been dropped on the first ball of the day without scoring.

He was finally last man out, bowled by Muralitharan, but a Malinga blow to the knuckles forced him to go to hospital for treatment after his innings.

That meant Mathew Sinclair replaced McCullum behind the stumps when Sri Lanka came out to bat again.

New Zealand also lost all-rounder Jacob Oram to a hamstring injury, depleting their bowling options.

Oram was one of seven New Zealand batsmen who failed to make double figures, including senior players Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori who failed to get off the mark.

Sri Lanka's second innings was not without alarm and they were 100-4 at one stage.