Kumar Sangakkara’s 11th Test double century steered Sri Lanka to a 135-run first innings lead over New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington.

The 37-year-old, who became the fastest player to bring up 12,000 Test runs a day earlier, hit 203 to take the tourists to 356 in reply to the hosts’ 221.

Beginning the day on 33, he mixed watchful defence with attacking flair to chalk up his fourth Test ton against the Black Caps before accelerating to turn that into his first double century against them.

Sri Lanka resumed on 5-78 as Sangakkara and Dinesh Chandimal navigated a testing examination from the New Zealand attack in the opening session to add 130 for the sixth wicket.

Chandimal, overlooked for the eight-wicket loss in the first Test in Christchurch despite averaging more than 44 in Tests, brought up his sixth half-century to offer strong support to Sangakkara before he fell on 67 chasing a wide delivery from James Neesham.

After failing twice in Christchurch, both times to Trent Boult, Sangakkara was determined to contribute at the ground where he scored an unbeaten 156 in December 2006.

He went to three figures for the 38th time in Tests by cutting a short ball from offspinner Mark Craig to deep point and then drove Neesham to the cover boundary to bring him his 200.

It took a stunning catch to end his masterful innings, with Boult plucking a fiercely-hit cut out of the air, handing Neesham his third wicket of the innings.

His innings featured 18 fours and three sixes as he cleverly manipulated the strike to add valuable runs with the tail.

When Neesham claimed Dhammika Prasad the tourists had a slender 21-run lead with three wickets in hand and it brought Sangakkara out of his shell.

He reached his first century in 191 balls but his second came off just 110 deliveries.

He offered his first chance on 143, a difficult attempt for a back-pedalling Doug Bracewell, and another to the same player four runs later, this time a tough one running in.

He added 47 with Rangana Herath, who was unlucky to be given out caught down the legside after a lengthy video referral, and then combined with Suranga Lakmal to add 67 for the ninth wicket as the New Zealand bowlers tired.