New Zealand will target the pawns rather than the king on the day two of the second Test in Wellington as they seek to eke out a first-innings lead.

Sri Lanka will resume on 78-5 in reply to the hosts’ first innings of 221 after they were put in on a Basin Reserve pitch offering a helping hand to pace bowlers.

The visitors’ trump card, Kumar Sangakkara, brought up 12,000 Test runs on Saturday and will start the second day on 33.

But New Zealand seamer Doug Bracewell says they’ll primarily target the other end in a bid to preserve a first-innings lead.

“We will have a yarn in the morning and work out some plans and look to attack the new players coming in,” he said after taking three wickets on his return to the side after 15 months on the sidelines.

But Bracewell, who struck in the last over before stumps to finish the day with 3-23, says Sangakkara is also in their sights.

“He is obviously a very good player and we will have to be smart with our plans. We’re still looking to get him early.”

New Zealand lead the two-Test series 1-0 after an eight-wicket win in Christchurch, but found themselves struggling after a collapse of eight wickets for 80 runs after seeing off the new ball.

Only Kane Williamson (69) passed the half-century mark and Bracewell believes they can make the most of the bowler-friendly pitch to take a first-innings lead despite losing the toss.

“It would have been nice to bowl first, but I think we’re in a pretty good position at the moment.

“It’s the sort of wicket if you bowl badly you can get punished, but if you stay disciplined and hit good areas and stay patient then you’ll get rewarded,” the 24-year-old said.