New Zealand limped to 75 for two in their second innings chasing an unlikely 504 to beat Sri Lanka in the second and final test in Wellington on Sunday.

Chamara Silva's unbeaten 152 in only his second test helped Sri Lanka post an imposing target after being dismissed for 365 in their second innings.

New Zealand, 1-0 up in the series, lost openers Jamie How (33) and Craig Cumming (20) before the close. Mathew Sinclair ended the third day unbeaten on 10 with his captain Stephen Fleming on four.

The start of play was delayed by rain and the only wicket to fall in the morning session was that of Prasanna Jayawardene, who skied a short Chris Martin delivery into the hands of substitute fielder Stu Mills for 37. He added 94 with Silva for the sixth wicket.

Silva and Chaminda Vaas (47) then added 88 before the latter was stumped by Brendon McCullum off Daniel Vettori, and the spinner wrapped up the Sri Lankan tail with three wickets in four balls to dismiss Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan. Vettori finished with figures of seven for 130, his 13th five-wicket haul in tests.

Silva, who bagged a pair in his first test in Christchurch last week, faced 219 balls and struck 20 boundaries in his five-and-a-half hour innings.