Black Caps have Sri Lanka 109/3

Tim Southee and Neil Wagner have put New Zealand firmly on track for a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka of the first cricket Test in Dunedin.

See how day four unfolded here

Chasing 405 for victory after the Black Caps declared their second innings on 267 for three before lunch on a weather-affected fourth day, Southee removed opener Dimuth Karunaratne for 29, then Udara Jayasundara was also caught behind for three to Wagner.

That had the Sri Lankans 69 for two at tea, then Southee snared Ajantha Mendis for 46, wicketkeeper BJ Watling again with the catch, which was a record-equalling ninth for him in the match, equalling the mark for most dismissals in a Test by a New Zealand wicketkeeper.

Watling also made nine dismissals against India in 2014, while Brendon McCullum had nine against Pakistan in 2009.

Stumps were called straight after the Mendis wicket as another downpour arrived, with the Sri Lankans 109 for three, still 295 runs behind. Dinesh Chandimal was not out on 31.

There had already been several rain delays including a hailstorm that forced an early lunch to be taken with Sri Lanka four without loss in their second innings after the hosts' declaration, when Tom Latham was 109 not out.

Play will begin half an hour early on the final day due to the time lost to the weather delays.

The hosts began Sunday on 171 for one and captain McCullum declared before lunch after hitting his 100th six in Test matches to take their lead past 400, joining Australian great Adam Gilchrist as the highest six-hitter in the long form of the game.

McCullum, no doubt aware of possible disruptions with expected poor weather in Dunedin, made the surprise declaration when he was on 17.

On the third day, Kane Williamson became the second New Zealand batsman to score 1000 Test runs in a calendar year as the hosts continued to build an imposing lead at a chilly and windswept University Oval.

- RNZ / Reuters