Second Test, Colombo, day three (close):
Sri Lanka 416 & 157-2 v New Zealand 234
Match scorecard

Sangakkara reached his fifty off 80 deliveries

Kumar Sangakkara hit an unbeaten half-century as Sri Lanka stretched their lead over New Zealand to a massive 339 on day three of the second Test.

Sangakkara (64) and Mahela Jayawardene (23) put on an unbroken 68-run stand as the hosts reached 157-2 when rain ended play with 11.4 overs remaining.

Sri Lanka, seeking a series victory, started their second innings 182 ahead after dismissing New Zealand for 234.

Spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath both took three wickets.

Muralitharan claimed the wickets of Brendon McCullum, who was dropped twice in one over from Herath, and Iain O'Brien, while his fellow slow bowler snapped up Ross Taylor (81) and Jacob Oram (24) as the Black Caps - 159-5 overnight - folded cheaply.

Oram and captain Daniel Vettori saw New Zealand past the follow-on target of 217 but part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan ended their 43-run eighth-wicket stand by having Vettori caught at short-leg by Chamara Kapugedera for 23.

Muralitharan then dismissed O'Brien to end the innings and secure figures of 3-71, while Herath recorded 3-70.

New Zealand made a decent start with the ball, with Jeetan Patel removing the dangerous Dilshan for 33 and Vettori sending back Tharanga Paranavitana for 34.

However, Sangakkara and Jayawardene threatened to put the match, and the series, beyond New Zealand's reach as they forged a strong partnership.

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