Sri Lanka were in deep trouble at 50-5 following fast bowler Tim Southee’s three-wicket burst in the morning before posting 247 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 221.

The tourists reached 35-1 in their second innings at stumps after losing hard-hitting opener Brendon McCullum, caught by Nuwan Kulasekara off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who was pressed into the attack after three overs.