Cricket: Sri Lanka in trouble after Vincent double ton

Lou Vincent hits a six. Picture / Fotopress

Sri Lanka faced a huge task to save the second test as New Zealand struck early in their second innings late on the third day today.

The tourists ended the day 10 for one off seven overs in their second innings in fading light, still trailing by 301 overall after New Zealand racked up 522 for nine declared.

Opener Sanath Jayasuriya was caught at third slip for two by New Zealand double-century maker Lou Vincent to give Chris Martin his seventh wicket of the match.

Earlier, Vincent scored the seventh-highest New Zealand test innings, 224, to give New Zealand a first innings lead of 311.

Vincent made his highest first-class score and was the 10th New Zealander to score a test double century.

His innings took 522 minutes, he faced 347 balls and hit 24 fours and four sixes before being run out by Sanath Jayasuriya attempting a second run.

Left-armer Chaminda Vaas was the most successful Sri Lankan bowler with figures of six for 108 off 40 overs, his 10th five-wicket bag in test cricket.

- NZPA