Christchurch, Dec 27 (IANS): Sri Lanka were bowled out for 138 in the first innings and are promising to dig their way out of a giant hole in the second innings, having reached 84 without loss on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand here.

After being asked to follow on with a 303-run deficit, defiant openers Dimuth Karunaratne (49) and Kaushal Silva (33) steered the tourists to safety at stumps at the Hagley Oval Saturday.

Their assured opening stand saw off 35 overs, a contrast to Sri Lanka's fleeting first innings of 138 which lasted just 7.4 overs longer. With New Zealand having scored 441, Sri Lanka are still 219 runs away from avoiding an innings defeat.

Sri Lanka crumbled in two heady sessions Saturday, succumbing to the bounce and movement of New Zealand's seam attack. That zip was lacking in the final session, along with the accuracy of their earlier fielding.

New Zealand's seamers were in command through the first two sessions, led by Trent Boult (three for 25), and reduced Sri Lanka to 15 for three after trapping both openers leg before wicket before luring a snick from Kumar Sangakkara.

Neil Wagner (three for 60), Tim Southee (two for 17) and all-rounder Jimmy Neesham ( two for 28) dominated the second session, snaffling the last seven wickets for 80 runs.

Angelo Matthews provided the only tangible Sri Lankan batting resistance, reaching 50 before he was caught in the deep off Wagner.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 441 lead Sri Lanka 138 (Angelo Mathews 50; Trent Boult 3/25, Neil Wagner 3/60) and 84/0 (Dimuth Karunaratne not out 49 and Kaushal Silva not out 33) by 219 runs at stumps on Day 2.