Opener Dimuth Karunaratne has struck a dogged maiden century to maintain a flicker of hope Sri Lanka can save the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Karunaratne was on 116 at tea on the third day at Hagley Oval, forming the backbone of their 3-201 total which leaves them 102 runs short of making New Zealand bat again.

Two wickets fell in the first half-hour of the day and one late in the second session – all caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling – after the tourists resumed their second innings from an overnight score of 0-49.

With New Zealand’s bowlers starting to show signs of fatigue on a relatively lifeless pitch, Sri Lanka could yet dig themselves out of a dire situation after following on 303 runs behind.

Karunaratne’s 392-minute stay has featured 12 fours, curbing his natural attacking instincts.

The left-hander from Colombo has ground out the best innings of a steady 14-Test career which began against New Zealand in Galle two years ago.

He had been guilty of not capitalising on good starts, having passed 50 four times previously without reaching three figures.

Resuming on 49, Karunaratne was rarely flustered on Sunday, scoring most effectively backward of point or on the leg side through wristy strokes in front of square.

He will resume alongside captain Angelo Mathews (12) after Lahiru Thirimanne’s dismissal for a patient 25 off James Neesham (1-20) ended a third-wicket partnership of 87.

Tim Southee (1-34) struck in the first over of the day to remove opener Kaushal Silva for 33 before Trent Boult (1-46) claimed the key wicket of an out-of-sorts Kumar Sangakkara (1).

It ended a monumental 2014 for Sangakkara, whose 2868 runs is a world record for a calendar year across Test, one-day international and Twenty20 formats.

MOST PROLIFIC CALENDAR YEAR

2868 – Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka, 2014)

2833 – Ricky Ponting (Australia, 2005)

2657 – Ponting (2003)

2626 – Rahul Dravid (India, 1999)

2609 – Sangakkara (2006)