Centuries from Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls put New Zealand in line for a defining victory over Sri Lanka Friday in the second Test with a 659-run second innings lead.

 Sri Lanka at stumps were 24 for two with Dinesh Chandimal on 14 and Kusal Menis on six. New Zealand, who led by 74 on the first innings, declared their second innings on day three in Christchurch at 585 for four with Latham scoring 176. Nicholls was not out on a career-best 162 with healthy contributions from Jeet Raval (74) and Colin de Grandhomme (71 not out).

Victory for New Zealand would give them a fourth consecutive series win for the first time after wins over the West Indies, England and Pakistan in the past year.