Wellington: Angelo Mathews produced a perfect blend of aggression and application to lead Sri Lanka to 264 for seven before steady rain forced early stumps on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand in Hamilton on Friday.

Put in to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a slow and steady start before kiwi pace spearhead Tim Southee removed both openers Kusal Mendis (31) and Dimuth Karunaratne (12).