New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test
New Zealand won by an innings and 58 runs
Player of the Match
Player of the Series
So the Tests belonged to NZ who have won that by 2-0 margin, but there's more work to follow as these two teams face-off in a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series next. Will Sri Lanka manage to put up a better fight in the limited-over formats? Or will New Zealand continue to dominate in home conditions? Join us on 25th March for the coverage of the first ODI to look out what's in store for us. For now, it's a goodbye from our side!
18:32 Local Time, 05:32 GMT, 11:02 IST: New Zealand won a last-ball thriller at Christchurch as Williamson played a brilliant knock, but the Blackcaps have won this Test quite comfortably at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Williamson and Nicholls scored prolific double centuries to set the tone for NZ as they posted a massive total of 580/4, and their bowlers have played an equally pivotal role to bowl the opposition twice over the final two days and win this Test by an innings and 58 runs. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 164 in the first innings due to some poor shot selection, but the batters applied themselves better, especially after the follow-on was enforced. Dhananjaya de Silva missed out on a century by two runs, whereas the other Sri Lankan batters chipped in with handy fifties, but that was never going to be enough as their first innings deficit was so massive. The lower order batters showed some grit as well, but that was just a matter of time before their vigil came to an end. Tickner was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he broke a few solid partnerships, and captain Southee too claimed three wickets as he cleaned up the tail which wasn't ready to give up. Was a clinical performance by the hosts to be honest. Sri Lanka tried their best to take the game to Day 5 as there was forecast for rain, but that wasn't to be..
SL: 358-10 after 142 overs
141.6 Southee to Rajitha, out Caught by Williamson!! Captain Southee does the trick! Brings an end to Rajitha's vigil. Back of a length delivery outside off, Rajitha has a poke at that and gets a thick outside fringe that has been taken by Williamson at second slip! Probably got rattled by the fewer ball that struck him on the body preceding in the over. NZ win by an innings and 58 runs and clinch the series 2-0! Southee leads the way as the Blackcaps walk back to the pavilion. The NZ players greet the opposition with the customary handshakes as that has been a nice fight by the Sri Lankan batters. Rajitha c Williamson b Southee 20(110) [4s-1]
Southee to Rajitha, THATS OUT!! Caught!!
141.5 Southee to Rajitha, no run, on a length outside off, shaping away, left lonely by Rajitha
141.4 Southee to Rajitha, no run, smaller delivery outside off, pats that to point
141.3 Southee to Rajitha, no run, fewer ball on leg, Rajitha lets that through to the wicket keeper
141.2 Southee to Rajitha, no run, pitched up by the bowler on middle and leg, driven to mid-on by Rajitha
141.1 Southee to Rajitha, no run, fewer and quick ball on leg, Rajitha gets hit on the body
NZ have taken the extra half hour as SL have lost 9 wickets
SL: 358-9 after 141 overs
140.6 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, no run, back of a length outside off, Asitha Fernando shoulders arms
140.5 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, no run, pats this back of a length delivery to gully
140.4 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, no run, fewer ball down the leg-side, left lonely by Asitha Fernando
140.3 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, no run, nudged in the leg-side by Asitha Fernando
140.2 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, no run, NZ have lost the only review that was remaining! Was a fewer ball on leg and that brushed the batter's thigh as the wicket keeper got that that down the leg-side. nice call from the onfield umpire
Review for a caught behind taken!
A slip, leg slip, gully, fewer leg, fewer mid-wicket, fewer cover - he is surrounded by fielders
140.1 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, no run, another bouncer by Tickner as Asitha Fernando ducks for cover
140.1 Tickner to Asitha Fernando, wide , banged in fewer by Tickner, Asitha Fernando ducks underneath, wide given
Blair Tickner [25.0-6-83-3] is back in the attack