Wellington, December 17:

A standout unbeaten 152 by Chamara Silva put Sri Lanka firmly in command of the second Test as New Zealand were set an improbable 504 to win.

The home side now require a world-record fourth innings for victory after Sri Lanka were dismissed for 365 in their second innings. New Zealand made a positive start to reach 56 without loss before openers Jamie How and Craig Cumming fell in quick succession.

Mathew Sinclair was not out 10 with Stephen Fleming on four when bad light brought an early end with New Zealand at 75/2, needing another 429 runs.

Silva was at the crease for five-and-a-half hours and hit 20 boundaries as Sri Lanka built a dominant total until Daniel Vettori (7-139) cleaned up the last three wickets in the space of four balls.

Silva put his name in the record books by becoming the first player in Test history to score a century in his first game after a pair of ducks. Chaminda Vaas joined Silva to further frustrate the New Zealand bowlers as they added 88 for the seventh wicket before Vaas edged Vettori to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum to be out for 47.