Sri Lanka’s pacemen crashed through New Zealand’s batting line-up to leave the Black Caps in trouble at 165/5 on Day II of the first Test in Christchurch, still trailing by 193 runs in reply to the visitors’ first innings total of 355.

Number five Daryl Mitchell was 40 not out and all-rounder Michael Bracewell was on 9 at stumps at Hagley Oval on Friday, the pair tasked with a rescue job after a second day dominated by the Lankans.

Sri Lanka are keen to grab an unlikely place in the World Test Championship final against Australia. They will qualify if they can sweep New Zealand in this twoTest series and if Australia can deny India victory in the ongoing fourth Test in Ahmedabad.

On Friday, the tail added 50 runs after Sri Lanka resumed on 305/6 in the morning.

New Zealand’s openers cruised in a 67-run stand before Devon Conway was trapped lbw for 30 by Asitha Fernando.

The wicket triggered a collapse, with Kane Williamson (1) and Henry Nicholls (2) dismissed in quick succession by a fired-up Lahiru Kumara as New Zealand lost three wickets for nine runs.

Tom Latham battled to a stubborn half-century in a 58-run partnership with Mitchell before he was bowled by Fernando for 67.

Kasun Rajitha then capped Sri Lanka’s day by securing a third wicket after tea when he had in-form wicketkeeper Tom Blundell caught behind.