When does the real Sri Lanka show up?
The tourists underwent a transformation at the University Oval yesterday from the all-out dashers we expected to a team which can knuckle down and bat entire sessions without being tempted.
New Zealand batted for about six overs on day two of the test, advancing its overnight score by 22 runs to reach 431.
The Black Caps quickly snaffled two wickets to leave the visitors 38 for two at lunch.
But Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne (84) teamed up with Dinesh Chandimal to resist the home side.
The pair put on 122 for the third wicket and batted through the middle session to help their side reach 197 for four at stumps.
Sri Lanka trails by 234 runs and will find it hard to win from its position. But it did make a stride towards saving the test.
The Black Caps have a ball just one over old to bowl with this morning and will be looking for the prized wicket of Chandimal, who is undefeated on 83 and has not looked like getting out.
New Zealand left-armer Trent Boult is expecting the day to be a battle of attrition.
"Just from experience of playing here I guess you do tend to tick up a few overs,'' Boult said.
"But on the flip side, things do happen quickly if you can sustain that pressure.
"Eventually something cracks, in my opinion.
''If we can continue and literally give them nothing, then hopefully things will happen for us.''
Boult, who was down on pace yesterday, made the initial breakthrough.
The 20-year-old Kusal Mendis got a faint edge to a full delivery which just swerved away.
Watling made the catch and with it brought up 100 test dismissals.
The debutant Udara Jayasundera (1) sold himself short in his maiden test innings.
He flailed at a wide delivery from Neil Wagner and only managed to connect with the toe-end of the bat.
Sri Lanka needed a partnership and Karunaratne and Chandimal provided.
Chandimal resisted every instinct he had to go on the attack and settled into a sedate pace very foreign to the right-hander.
The pair added just 65 runs in the second session but got their side to tea with eight wickets still intact.
New Zealand was forced into playing a waiting game with left arm spinner Mitchell Santner plugging away from one end.
The visitors continued to resist in the final session and Karunaratne inched closer to his fourth test hundred.
But having played so patiently, he tried to cut away a Santner delivery and was caught behind.
Angelo Mathews arguably got even less bat on a leg side delivery from Southee a few overs later.
But hot spot showed a tiny speck and off he went - the danger man.
It was a very good review.
Watching live it looked like all pad.
''He is a massive player for them and one of the more experienced ones. It was a bit sneaky to get him down the leg side but we'll take it. There is a relatively inexperienced middle order coming up - so it was a big wicket.''
Mathews' departure threatened to undo 65 overs of hard craft.
Kithuruwan Vithanage had an escape late in the day when Kane Williamson put him down at short cover.
But he made it to stumps undefeated on 10. And as long as Chandimal is at the crease, Sri Lanka will feel some degree of comfort.
Snapshots
TOP PERFORMANCE
Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne negotiated the new ball and the loss of two team-mates during the opening session to post 84.
BEST SHOT
Karunaratne brought up 50 with a majestic drive down the ground. It was crisp reminder of his talent.
BEST MOMENT
When the speedgun recorded New Zealand left-armer Neil Wagner at 160kph. A low flying bird was to blame for the dud reading.
NEW ZEALAND'S HIGHLIGHT
The faint edge Angelo Mathews got on a leg side delivery from Tim Southee.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TODAY?
Sri Lanka set a sedate pace with the bat yesterday and will continue to chip away at the Black Caps' lead.
