Captain Stephen Fleming hit an unbeaten 112, his fifth Test century, to put New Zealand in charge against Sri Lanka after a slow start on the first day of the first Test on Friday.

Left-handers Fleming and Mark Richardson, whose 85 included seven boundaries and a six, shared a dogged second-wicket stand of 172 as the visitors reached the close on 207 for two.

"In the context, it was a pretty important one," Fleming said of his 248-ball century.

"It was pretty tough going out there, with the wicket so slow. We'll be going for 450 or 500 tomorrow."

Sri Lanka's bowling attack foundered after seam bowler Prabath Nissanka had claimed his first Test wicket in the morning session.

Nissanka, who conceded just 21 runs in 14 overs, made the breakthrough when he removed Matthew Horne for four, the batsman being well caught by a diving Kumar Dharmasena at short leg.

Richardson, batting with a runner because of a sore hamstring, picked up the tempo in the afternoon before being bowled by left-arm seam bowler Chaminda Vaas for 85 in the first over with the second new ball.

Richardson was replaced by right-hander Mathew Sinclair, who was unbeaten on four at the close.

IMPORTANT CHANCE

The home side, led by Hashan Tillakaratne in his first Test as captain, missed an important chance in the first session when Richardson was dropped on 34 by Mahela Jayawardena at first slip off the spin bowling of Muttiah Muralitharan.

"We needed to have taken certain chances. And we didn't do that in the second session, which was disappointing," said Tillakaratne. "We will definitely bounce back tomorrow."

Number three batsman Fleming also survived a chance, being dropped on 14 by Kumar Sangakkara at first slip.

But the New Zealand captain said his side were certainly not underestimating the threat posed by Muralitharan's off spin on the slow pitch.

"Reading him is still quite tough -- the survival is the first instinct," Fleming said.

"He's quality, and he will certainly be pressuring us tomorrow."