Sri Lanka build on lead in Wellington

SYDNEY, Dec 16 (Reuters) Sri Lanka reached 114 for four in their second innings to extend their overall lead to 252 runs at tea on the second day of the second and final test against New Zealand in Wellington today.

Having skittled the rest of New Zealand's order for 130, Sri Lanka were lifted to a commanding position with skipper Mahela Jayawardene unbeaten on 14 and Chamara Silva on nine as they bid to square the series at 1-1.

An opening stand of 44 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga looked set to put the tourists out of reach before Tharanga was trapped in front by Chris Martin for 20.

Kumar Sangakkara's bid for a third successive century was ended early when he was caught for eight off Shane Bond's bowling and then Jayasuriya edged to Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming off Daniel Vettori to make it 62 for three.

Chamara Kapugedera was then bowled by a straight one from Vettori for 27.

Earlier, spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed four wickets and paceman Lasith Malinga completed a five-wicket haul as New Zealand fell from their overnight 66 for four to 130 all out in just 39.1 overs at the Basin Reserve.

The Kiwis never hit their stride and the lively Malinga took his fourth wicket of the innings when he bowled Mathew Sinclair for six to make it 75 for five.

Malinga repeated the trick to dismiss Vettori for a duck, to complete career best match figures of 5-68, before Muralitharan trapped Jacob Oram, who was batting with a runner, and James Franklin leg before both for one.

Muralitharan gained another leg before verdict against Bond (8) before the defiant Brendon McCullum was last man out for 43 from 61 balls when he charged at the Sri Lankan off-spinner and was bowled.

Muralitharan finished with 4-31.

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 268 in their first innings on Friday.

Reuters SAM GC0912