Galle, August 22: Sri Lanka were on the verge of a huge victory against New Zealand in their first cricket Test after illness-plagued New Zealand collapsed today.
The Kiwis, set an improbable target of 413 runs, were reduced to 125-5 by lunch on the fifth and final day at the Galle International Stadium.
Skipper Daniel Vettori kept the Black Caps afloat with an unbeaten 42, while Jesse Ryder was on 22 at the break.
Left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara picked up two wickets, with Sri Lanka having two more sessions to complete the formalities under bright sunshine to take the lead in the two-Test series.
The tourists, who have 13 of their 15 players affected by a stomach bug and viral fever, did not find an ally even in the weather as clear skies broke over the coastal town for the first time since the Test began.
New Zealand added seven runs to their overnight score of 30-1 when Thushara bowled Martin Guptill with a superb ball that moved after pitching and clipped the off-stump. The batsman made 18.
Tim McIntosh, top-scorer in the first innings with 69 who could not open yesterday evening due to viral fever, batted for 14 minutes without scoring when he edged a Thushara outswinger.
—Agencies