Kane Williamson carries UAE form home as New Zealand dominate Sri Lanka in Wellington Test

Black Caps captain scored 91 on Day 2 as the hosts moved to 311-2, a 29-run lead over the tourists

New Zealand's Tom Latham, left, and Kane Williamson run between the wickets while batting during play on day two of the first cricket test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Wellington, New Zealand, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark Baker )
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New Zealand captain Kane Williamson provided a batting masterclass against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Sunday as the hosts hammered home their advantage in the first Test.

Williamson scored 91 as he and Tom Latham combined for 162 runs to drive New Zealand to 311-2 at stumps on Day 2 at the Basin Reserve.

Latham was unbeaten on 121 at the close of play, having notched his seventh century after playing the anchor role for the hosts and helping them to a 29-run first innings lead with eight wickets remaining.

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Ross Taylor was 50 not out, but the day's play was dominated by Williamson, who had risen to a career-best Test ranking of No 2 in the world - behind Virat Kohli - after scoring 386 runs at an average of over 77 in the UAE against Pakistan.

Coincidentally both he and his Indian counterpart were batting at the same time more than 5,000 kilometres apart.

Kohli scored 123 in India's first innings in the second Test against Australia but was far more circumspect than the 28-year-old New Zealander.

Williamson, who replaced Jeet Raval after the opener was dismissed for 43 on the final ball before lunch, hit the first three deliveries he faced to the fence.

He then accumulated runs at will and combined with Latham for 116 runs in 25 overs during the middle session.

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Shortly after Kohli brought up his 25th Test century at the Perth Stadium, Williamson looked well set to score his 20th at almost a run a ball.

The right-handed batsman, however, succumbed to what was the only mistake of his 93-ball innings when he swept part time offspinner Dhananjaya de Silva straight to Kasun Rajitha at backward square less than an hour into the final session.

Sri Lanka's first innings lasted just three overs in the first session when Tim Southee grabbed his sixth wicket after a brilliant diving catch by Colin de Grandhomme at leg slip to dismiss Lahiru Kumara for a duck.

The visitors were bowled out for 282 with Niroshan Dickwella left stranded on 80, while Southee finished with 6-68.