Black Caps claim five-wicket win

New Zealand clinched their first Test victory in Christchurch in 12 years, reaching a modest target of 119 for the loss of five wickets just after tea on day three of their opening encounter with Sri Lanka.

Despite a defiant unbeaten century by Kumar Sangakkara, the Black Caps dismissed the tourists for 170 runs in the morning session, putting them on course for their first win at Jade Stadium since a five-wicket triumph against Pakistan in February 1994.

The home side lost four wickets for 10 runs to slump from 58 for no loss to 68 for four - but Nathan Astle's 24 and a hard-hitting cameo appearance by Brendon McCullum, who hit an unbeaten 14 off eight balls, ensured they reached the target.

Veteran spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed a total of seven wickets, five of them for lbw, but his heroics were not enough to rescue the visitors, who batted poorly in the low-scoring match.