New Zealand have not won a Test match since smashing Zimbabwe by an innings and 301 runs in Napier in January, but are in prime position to overcome Sri Lanka in the second of two Tests against the island nation.
New Zealand, leading by 168 runs, declared their second innings at 194-9 to set a challenging target for the hosts, who lead the series 1-0 following their 10-wicket win in the opening Test.
The tourists slipped from 74-2 to 75-5 before Taylor and debutant Todd Astle (35) steadied the innings with a 97-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara had Kane Williamson (18) caught by Paranavitana in the slips and then trapped Daniel Flynn leg-before with the last two balls of his eighth over.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath then struck with the second delivery of the next over, having Kruger van Wyk caught by Paranavitana at leg-slip for a duck.
Taylor played a responsible knock and reached his half-century with just one four when he fluently drove off-spinner Suraj Randiv through the covers, while Astle provided valuable support.
Astle was unlucky to be caught after the tea-break as his attempted sweep off Randiv hit the boot of a close-in fielder before going to Dilshan at short mid-wicket.
Southee earlier finished with 5-62 for his third five-wicket haul in a Test innings and left-arm paceman Boult with 4-42 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 244 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand's 412.
In the final 16 overs of the fourth day, New Zealand bowled themselves into a commanding position.
Southee took a wicket with the opening delivery of Sri Lanka's second innings, trapping Tharanga Paranavitana lbw, and it did not get much better for the home team.
Bracewell and Southee both took two scalps as the hosts finished the day with 316 runs required for victory, while New Zealand need six wickets to record their first win in Sri Lanka since 1998.
New Zealand, leading by 168 runs, declared their second innings at 194-9 to set a challenging target for the hosts, who lead the series 1-0 following their 10-wicket win in the opening Test.
The tourists slipped from 74-2 to 75-5 before Taylor and debutant Todd Astle (35) steadied the innings with a 97-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara had Kane Williamson (18) caught by Paranavitana in the slips and then trapped Daniel Flynn leg-before with the last two balls of his eighth over.
Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath then struck with the second delivery of the next over, having Kruger van Wyk caught by Paranavitana at leg-slip for a duck.
Taylor played a responsible knock and reached his half-century with just one four when he fluently drove off-spinner Suraj Randiv through the covers, while Astle provided valuable support.
Astle was unlucky to be caught after the tea-break as his attempted sweep off Randiv hit the boot of a close-in fielder before going to Dilshan at short mid-wicket.
Southee earlier finished with 5-62 for his third five-wicket haul in a Test innings and left-arm paceman Boult with 4-42 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 244 in their first innings in reply to New Zealand's 412.
In the final 16 overs of the fourth day, New Zealand bowled themselves into a commanding position.
Southee took a wicket with the opening delivery of Sri Lanka's second innings, trapping Tharanga Paranavitana lbw, and it did not get much better for the home team.
Bracewell and Southee both took two scalps as the hosts finished the day with 316 runs required for victory, while New Zealand need six wickets to record their first win in Sri Lanka since 1998.
