COLOMBO, (Reuters) – New Zealand struggled to 159 for  five on the second day of the second and final test yesterday,  trailing Sri Lanka by 257 runs after Thilan Samaraweera’s  century had put the hosts in command.

Ross Taylor was providing lone resistance for the Kiwis at  the close, having compiled 70 not out from 118 balls.  Wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum was also unbeaten on five.

Left-armer Thilan Thushara continued his fine form by taking  two for 37 for Sri Lanka.
Earlier, Samaraweera thumped 143 as Sri Lanka totalled 416  in their first innings despite losing their last five wickets  for 27 runs.
Samaraweera shared a 180-run partnership for the fourth  wicket with Mahela Jayawardene (92).

The centurion batted for more than six hours, facing 240  deliveries and hitting 17 fours and a six as he made his second  hundred of the series.

New Zealand fought back in the afternoon session,  off-spinner Jeetan Patel recovering from an expensive start to  finish with four for 78.
Sri Lanka, 1-0 up in the series, had started the day on 262  for three.

Jayawardene scored 92 in 234 balls before being caught  behind off seamer Iain O’Brien.
Chamara Kapugedera, replacing injured all-rounder Angelo  Mathews, then stroked 35 before lofting a catch off Patel.
After lunch wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (17) top-edged  a hook and Samaraweera was quickly running out of partners when  he was finally caught behind off Patel.

When New Zealand went into bat, captain Kumar Sangakkara  briefly experimented with Tillakaratne Dilshan opening the  bowling with his off breaks.

However Sangakkara quickly reverted to the pace of Dammika  Prasad, who trapped Tim McIntosh lbw for five.
Thushara then had Daniel Flynn caught behind for 13,  Prasanna Jayawardene taking a good diving catch.
Martin Guptill (35) top-edged a pull to deep backward square  before Jesse Ryder (23) helped steady the innings with Taylor,  adding 85 for the fourth wicket.

Ryder, though, was snapped up at bat-pad off Rangana Herath  and Muttiah Muralitharan removed nightwatchman Patel for one.