New Zealand were poised for victory at stumps on day two of the opening Test against Sri Lanka after 16 wickets fell in three sessions in Christchurch on Friday.
Schedule: Sri Lanka in New Zealand
Sri Lanka were toiling at 125 for eight at the close in their second innings, just 73 runs ahead, with Kumar Sangakkara offering the tourists a glimmer of hope in the low-scoring contest with an unbeaten 63.
Paceman Shane Bond took his match tally to seven wickets by picking up four scalps and two run-outs as the Sri Lankan top order folded from 44-1 to 99-8 while Sangakkara remained defiant.
New Zealand were earlier indebted to Daniel Vettori for their total of 206, the spinner was last man out for 63 as the hosts, who lost four wickets for just seven runs in the morning session, were dismissed in reply to Sri Lanka's 154.
He added 75 in a crucial seventh-wicket stand with skipper Stephen Fleming (48) as off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan dominated proceedings.
Muralitharan made the initial breakthrough after New Zealand had resumed on 85-2 by bowling opener Craig Cumming for 43.
The off-spinner then trapped Nathan Astle in front for two before Chaminda Vaas had Jacob Oram caught at mid wicket for two and forced Brendon McCullum to chop onto his stumps for a duck as the hosts slumped to 113-6.
Vettori and Fleming then edged their side ahead before the skipper holed out at slip off Farveez Maharoof.
Muralitharan trapped James Franklin and Bond for one and a duck to finish with figures of 4-65 before the innings was wrapped up when Vettori, who hit eight boundaries, was caught at cover off Lasith Malinga.
Sri Lanka's second innings got off to a sprightly start when Sanath Jayasuriya was run out at the non-striker's end when Upul Tharanga's straight drive was deflected onto the stumps by Bond in his follow-through.
Bond, who finished with 4-38, then removed Tharanga, Chamara Kapugedera and Chamara Silva while Oram and Franklin also picked up a wicket apiece to leave the tourists in deep trouble.
