Sri Lanka take charge in Colombo

First Test, Colombo, day two (close):
Sri Lanka 416 v New Zealand 159-5
Match scorecard

Samaraweera averages over 50 from his 54 Tests dating back to 2001

Thilan Samaraweera's century helped Sri Lanka to take a dominant position after day two of the first Test, as New Zealand closed 257 behind at 159-5.

Samaraweera was on 78 overnight as the Sri Lankans resumed on 262-3, but went on to make his 11th Test hundred.

Mahela Jayawardene was denied his 27th century when he edged a wide one for 92 as his team were bowled out for 416.

Sri Lanka struck in the third over and Ross Taylor was the only Kiwi to shine with nine fours in his unbeaten 70.

Jayawardene and Samaraweera had extended their partnership to 180 before the former captain played his first injudicious stroke and wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum took a neat catch.

Chamara Kapugedera then added a brisk 72 for the fifth wicket with Samaraweera, but just before lunch he attempted to hit over the top, miscued and handed Daniel Vettori a simple catch at mid-off.

It was a first wicket for spinner Jeetan Patel, who later picked up two more in successive deliveries.

Samaraweera reached three figures by pushing through a packed off-side field for two, then hooked Chris Martin for six next ball.

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara caused a surprise by opting for part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan to bowl the first over.

It was to be his only over as paceman Dammika Prasad came into the attack and promptly struck with his first ball.

606: DEBATE

When NZ bat you always have the impression they are in ODI mode

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He pitched one on the stumps and there was some away movement, but umpire Nigel Llong thought it would have hit and Tim McIntosh was given out lbw.

Another fast bowler, Thilan Thushara, was hit for successive boundaries in his first over by Martin Guptill, but then struck twice in quick succession.

Daniel Flynn (13) edged the left-arm seamer and Prasanna, took a neat catch to his left while Guptill, after seven fours in a fluent 35, miscued a pull and was caught at deep square leg.

Taylor, who survived a good shout for leg before and was dropped on 57 off Muttiah Muralitharan, stemmed the tide in a stand of 85 for the fourth wicket with Jesse Ryder.

However, the burly left-hander was caught at short-leg, and with less than six overs remaining to the close, Patel was promoted up the order, only to be removed by master spinner Muralitharan after facing just six deliveries.