Former captain Angelo Mathews continued his role as saviour on Sri Lanka's tour of New Zealand, as he and Kusal Mendis struck unbeaten hundreds to thwart the hosts' push for victory on the fourth day of the first test at the Basin Reserve.
At stumps, Mathews was on 117, while Mendis was 116 not out, as they batted together all day to take their side to 259/3, created Sri Lanka's highest partnership for any wicket against New Zealand with a marathon 246-run stand.
For the first time in 10 years, a full day's play was completed without a wicket falling - the last time was the first day of the second test between South Africa and Bangladesh on February 29, 2008.
The pair's stubborn resistance could prove match-saving, with rain forecast for the final day on Wednesday.
They had resumed at 20/3, needing another 276 runs to even make New Zealand bat again, after Tom Latham's maiden double-century of 264 not out had powered the hosts to a massive first innings total of 578.
They frustrated New Zealand's bowlers, who resorted to a short-pitched attack early, changed to a fuller length towards lunch, then virtually shut down the scoring during the middle session, with Ajaz Patel shoring up one end.
But nothing worked against Mendis and Mathews, who were untroubled on a pitch offering little in the way of sideways seam movement, although left-arm spinner Patel got the occasional delivery to bite and bounce.
For the third successive innings in New Zealand, Mathews resurrected his side's fortunes when staring at embarrassment.
The 31-year-old top-scored with 83 in Sri Lanka's first innings of 282 and combined with Dimuth Karunaratne for a 133-run partnership, after they slumped to 9/3 inside the first four overs.
Reuters
