New Zealand Poised For A Win

Tim Southee takes the first wicket

New Zealand are poised for their first Test victory in Sri Lanka since 1998, a match in which Stephen Fleming and Craig McMillan scored second innings centuries and temporarily tamed Muralitharan. It's the captain - this time Ross Taylor - who has again played a leading hand and victory will give them a creditable equal share of the spoils in this two Test series.

Quite an achievement after the flogging they were handed in the First Test.

The Kiwis have controlled the game from the first session and although they batted slowly and with the intent of setting up a score that would prevent them losing - the Ross Taylor method - their bowlers have provided the killer blows to a Sri Lankan side which looks and acts doddery.

The tail was cleanly removed in just eight overs of the morning, with Trent Boult claiming three of the four wickets to fall. After removing Thilan Samaraweera without addition to his overnight score, the rest stayed less than briefly. Tim Southee's 5-62 was only his third five wicket haul in Tests and the bulk of them were quality top order men.

McCullum was smartly stumped

New Zealand batted with much greater endeavour before lunch, mainly thanks to Brendon McCullum, who struck seven boundaries in his 35 before overbalancing for a moment against Ranga Herath and being smartly stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene. Three wickets in two overs soon after the break reduced them to a precarious 5-75 but Taylor and debutante Todd Astle turned the ship right side up with a partnership of 97. Taylor was eventually run out, turning for a second at the bowlers end. His 74 came off only 95 balls. He looks such a good player when he plays shots.

Sri Lanka set off after 363 looking for glory but found ignominy instead. The top order failed for a second time in the match and only Samaraweera and Angelo Mathews remain. Southee was again outstanding, removing Tharanga Paranavitana first ball with an indipper which had the left hander plumb and Tillakaratne Dilshan a few overs later, driving an edge to keeper Kruger van Wyck. Doug Bracewell, bowling first change, had some luck when Kumar Sangakkara missed a leg glance and watched as the ball went from his pads to the stumps. In his next over, Mahela Jayawardene was caught behind. Any afternoon when you can bag that pair for next to nothing is a good afternoon indeed.

New Zealand odds on for the final day, with no rain in sight.

For Sri Lanka, who were so competitive in ODI cricket in Australia last summer, the Test series in December/January at the same venues could be a different story.