GALLE: Heavy rain delayed the start of play for the third successive day in the first cricket Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka here on Thursday.

Just 146.4 overs of the stipulated 180 were bowled on the first two days due to bad weather and more rain was expected in this southern coastal town over the next three days.

New Zealand were due to resume at 87-2 in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 452.

New Zealand play two Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and a limited-overs tri-series also featuring India during the five-week tour.