SL struggle before rain

Tim Southee took two wickets as New Zealand tightened the screws on Sri Lanka on the fourth day of the first Test Sunday, but rain threatened to derail their victory hopes.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum set the stage for a tantalising conclusion at Dunedin's University Oval with a sporting declaration that offered Sri Lanka more than five sessions to reach a 405-run target.

But the tourists' response was disrupted by three stoppages as southerly squalls swept across the ground. Further showers are forecast for the final day.

At stumps on day four, with an hour's play lost because of the weather, Sri Lanka were 109 for three, requiring a further 296 runs.

Dinesh Chandimal is not out 31 and captain Angelo Mathews has yet to face.

Sri Lanka veteran Rangana Herath, 37, said they needed the pair to bat through the first session on Monday to save the Test.

SCORES IN BRIEF

NEW ZEALAND: First innings 431

SRI LANKA: First innings 294

NEW ZEALAND: Second innings 267 for 3 decl (Guptill 46, Latham 109 not out, Williamson 71; Herath 2-62)

SRI LANKA: Second innings 109 for 3 (Karunaratne 29, Mendis 46, Chandimal 31 not out; Southee 2-16)