Black Caps Claim Opening Test

New Zealand wrapped up a convincing 122-run win shortly after lunch on the final day in the first test of their series against Sri Lanka at University Oval today.

Set 405 for an improbable victory, Sri Lanka were dismissed in their second innings for 282, 11.2 overs after the interval.

Sri Lanka's chances dipped sharply when captain Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, who started the day and are the team's best batsmen, were out to careless shots in the morning session.

Mathews went for 25, the ball from left armer Neil Wagner cannoning off a pad he loosely aimed at the ball, onto his stumps; Chandimal, on 58, offered no shot to spinner Mitchell Santner and was given out after a referral.

Kithuruwan Vithanage and Milinda Sirawardana resisted for a time, seamers Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera hit out briefly before the end.

Tim Southee finished with three for 52, with two wickets apiece to Wagner, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner and the final wicket went to Doug Bracewell, slim reward from a test in which he bowled better than his solitary wicket return would suggest.

The second of two tests starts at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Friday.

Radio Sport