Colombo, Aug. 24 -- A masterful, unbeaten 10th test century from Tom Latham helped New Zealand reach 196-4 at stumps on day three of the second test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

New Zealand trails by 48 runs in the first innings having dismissing Sri Lanka for 244 earlier.

Latham was unbeaten on 111 at stumps, batting with BJ Watling on 25. The pair added a 70-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Latham faced 184 deliveries and hit 10 boundaries.

The Black Caps resumed at 103-3 after tea and Henry Nicolls (15) was caught by Dhananjaya de Silva off spinner Dilruwan Perera with the score on 126.

Perera took two wickets for 76 runs in 25 overs.

After New Zealand went to lunch on one without loss, Sri Lanka got its first breakthrough...