Double strike tightens New Zealand`s grip

Otago: New Zealand took command of the first Test against Sri Lanka on Friday with the tourists reeling at 38 for two at lunch on the second day in Dunedin.

After resuming at 409-8, New Zealand added a further 22 runs to reach 431.

Doug Bracewell was the last man out for a Test best 47, while for Sri Lanka Nuwan Pradeep finished with four for 112.

Trent Boult and Neil Wagner then ripped into an inexperienced Sri Lankan top order that struggled to settle.

Kusal Mendis, in his second Test, lasted 19 deliveries for just eight and debutant Udara Jayasundera faced six balls for one run. 

Dimuth Karunaratne, who was given a torrid time by Boult, survived to be 21 not out at lunch with Dinesh Chandimal on six. 

After the Sri Lankan bowlers had failed to get any joy out of the University Oval wicket, New Zealand`s four-pronged seam attack found bounce and movement delivering five maidens in the 18 overs bowled. 

Boult had Karunaratne in trouble in the first over but luck was with the batsman when he went to duck under a delivery, which clipped the toe of his bat and flew over the wicketkeeper for four.

Two overs later Boult seduced edges from successive deliveries to Karunaratne that both fell short of the slip cordon.

But when Boult turned his attention to Mendis he found an edge that went straight to BJ Watling behind the stumps.

Wagner came into the attack to replace Boult and claimed Jayasundera with his fifth ball, again catching an edge than went to Watling.

Wagner finished the morning session with one for nine and Boult one for 16 while Tim Southee conceded a miserly six runs from five overs.