They didn't give us any opportunities – Williamson

Mendis and Mathews batted out the entire fourth day and 13 overs on day five, before rain ruined any chances of a New Zealand win.

New Zealand’s captain hailed the efforts of the opposition batsmen, who were resolute in defence as they both compiled patient hundreds. Mendis finished unbeaten on 141, while Mathews – who celebrated his ton with a show of push-ups ­– finished on 120 not out.

"That is one of the beauties of Test cricket - two guys put their hand up and didn't give us an opportunity for a day," said Williamson.

“Very rarely do you go a whole day where there's not an opportunity regardless of what you try. There were a couple of wide balls that lobbed maybe 10 centimetres in the air toward point, but only five metres in distance. I think that was the best we got.

“We sat down and had a number of conversations with other senior players and at breaks and said ‘what’s something else we can try?’ and we tried pretty much all of it.”

The Black Caps’ efforts were not helped by a pitch that offered little assistance to the New Zealand seamers who were excellent in the first-innings, bowling Sri Lanka out for 282.

“Without bounce in the surface and the defensive strokes that were played, nothing was carrying through to the keeper,” added Williamson. “There wasn't a lot happening off the pitch. We tried a few short balls and changes of tack, and tried to build pressure for a period of time to buy a wicket to a certain extent. But it wasn't to be.

"They were very disciplined, very patient, and weren’t looking to bat aggressively, which might have given us an opportunity. They played very nicely."

The second and final Test will begin on Boxing Day in Christchurch.