Colombo, Aug. 28: Skipper Kumar Sangakkara hit a second successive half-century as Sri Lanka seized control of the final Test against New Zealand here on Friday.

The hosts, who led by 182 runs in the first innings, were 157/2 in their second knock when heavy rain ended play 12.4 overs early on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Sangakkara followed his 50 in the first innings with a fluent unbeaten 64, having shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 68 with former captain Mahela Jayawardena (23 not out).

Sri Lanka will resume on the fourth day with an overall lead of 339 runs with eight wickets in hand, looking for quick runs before giving their bowlers enough time to dismiss New Zealand a second time.

Sri Lanka won the first Test in Galle by 202 runs last week and a 2-0 sweep of the series will make them number two in the official Test rankings behind South Africa.

Sangakkara’s men currently share the second spot with India.

Openers Tillakaratne Dilshan and Tharanga Paranavitana gave Sri Lanka a flying start with a stand of 56 runs.

Dilshan, hero of the first Test win with knocks of 92 and 123 not out, made 33 before holing out in the deep off Jeetan Patel.

Paranavitana fell in the penultimate over before tea, off Daniel Vettori for 34. Sangakkara hit seven fours and a six despite a defensive leg-side field set by Vettori to contain the runs.

Earlier, Sri Lanka spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath shared six wickets as New Zealand were bowled out for 234. — AFP