SL in fight to survive against New Zealand

CHRISTCHURCH, Dec 27 (AFP): New Zealand had the scent of victory after only the second day of the first Test against Sri Lanka Saturday after a scintillating bowling spell forced the tourists to follow on 303 runs in arrears.

After New Zealand posted 441 in their first innings at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, a four-pronged pace attack led by Trent Boult dismissed Sri Lanka for 138 inside 43 overs.

"That first innings was something special. It just seemed to happen against a quality side so it was brilliant," New Zealand's chief destroyer Boult said after returning figures of three for 25 off 11 overs.

Sri Lanka made a more solid start to their second innings, reaching 84 without loss at stumps, but with three days remaining they were still 219 runs in arrears and Boult believed the signs were good for New Zealand.

"It's a great opportunity to win a Test match in New Zealand," the left-arm quick said.

He described the pitch as "inconsistent" with the amount of assistance it gave but said if the New Zealand bowlers kept the pressure on "then I think we're going to be successful".

New Zealand had resumed the second day at 429-7 and lost their last three wickets for a cheap 12 runs in 32 balls as their innings folded for 441.

Sri Lanka 138 (Mathews 50, Boult 3-25, Wagner 3-60) and 85 for 0 (Karunaratne 49*, Silva 33*) (f/o) trail New Zealand 441 (McCullum 195, Neesham 85, Mathews 3-39) by 219 runs.