Rolling coverage: Black Caps v Sri Lanka, Basin Reserve, Wellington

De Grandhomme misses out on a wicket after overstepping the mark. Photo / Getty.

The Black Caps got off to a flying start against Sri Lanka in the first test at the Basin Reserve. For live coverage, click here.

2.20pm: Sri Lanka overcome disaster to reach 100 partnership

Sri Lanka's fourth wicket partnership continues to frustrate New Zealand.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews brought up a 100-run partnership early in the second session, with Mathews superbly driving Colin de Grandhomme for four to bring up the milestone.

Mathews has offered few chances in moving through to 40, while Karunaratne – previously given a second chance when caught off a no-ball – saw an edge fly past a diving second slip before reaching 50 for the 29th time in test cricket.

Considering they were at 9-3, Sri Lanka can be thrilled that they now have a way back into this test match.

12.30pm: Sri Lanka get lifeline
Dimuth Karunaratne has been given a lifeline by the Black Caps in the opening session of the first test.

Karunaratne had led Sri Lanka's rebuild from 9-3, moving through to 33 and looking in fine touch, but it looked like he had thrown all his hard work away when he smacked a Colin de Grandhomme full toss straight to mid-wicket.

However, as he went to walk off the park, the big screen showed the story – de Grandhomme had overstepped, and proof of the no-ball quickly ended the Black Caps' celebrations, and gave Karunaratne – who has added a 50 run partnership with Angelo Mathews – a second chance.

50 run partnership between Karunaratne 34* & Mathews 19* @OfficialSLC fighting back. CARD | https://t.co/eAi0AmMOt9 pic.twitter.com/FPY6CxsoP0

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 14, 2018

11.24am: Southee unplayable
Tim Southee may feature in at least three Sri Lankan nightmares tonight. The Black Caps opening bowler dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka in his first over, then Dhananjaya de Silva and Kusal Mendis in his second.

Strike bowler Tim Southee could be on for a few wickets today in the first #nzvsl test between @BLACKCAPS and @OfficialSLC at the Basin Reserve. He's making the ball hoop early.

— Andrew Alderson (@aldersonnotes) December 14, 2018

Tim Southee strikes in his first and second over!
A lethal in-swinger traps Gunathilaka LBW, then De Silva edges one through to Watling. Sri Lanka 7-2, scorecard | https://t.co/lARlh13aT7 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/KyBH3tBnZN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 14, 2018

What a start to the New Zealand summer for Tim Southee. Three unplayable deliveries and three Sri Lankan wickets inside two overs. Three day finish, I reckon. #NZvSL

— Sreshth Shah (@sreshthx) December 14, 2018

Ohh 3 Down🙈! Tim Southee is breathing fire 2-1-2-3🔥🔥! SL are in early trouble. Kane decided to bowl and his pacers aren't letting him down👍. #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/2B1znea45C

— Arsalan Shahid (@iamarsalan18) December 14, 2018

It's been glorious new ball bowling from Southee, who is starting the Kiwi summer just right. Three unplayable deliveries, three wickets.