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Last Updated : 2024-05-05 08:39:00
13 March 2023 11:51 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A Kane Williamson century led New Zealand to a dramatic last-ball, two-wicket victory against Sri Lanka on a rain-disrupted final day in Christchurch on Monday.
In a helter-skelter finish, the only Sri Lankans not guarding the boundary for most of the closing 10 overs were the bowler and wicketkeeper as New Zealand chased down their target of 285.
The winning run came from a bye after Williamson missed with his swipe at the ball.
He finished 121 not out with New Zealand 285-8 and Sri Lanka two wickets shy of their target.
The thrilling New Zealand win scuppered Sri Lanka's chances of making the World Test Championship final, handing the spot to India instead.
When rain wiped out the first two sessions on the fifth day, the umpires ruled there would be a minimum of 53 overs played in the evening, which meant New Zealand would have to average 4.85 an over.
After a steady but slow start which saw the hosts at 90-3, Williamson and Daryl Mitchell picked up the pace.
They put on 142 in 26 overs for the fourth wicket with the precision of a one-day partnership.
Sri Lanka paid a heavy price for Williamson being dropped by Niroshan Dickwella on 33 as he went on to produce his 27th century.
The 31-year-old Mitchell, a late arrival on the international stage, contributed 81 to lift his average to a phenomenal 59.04 from 26 innings.
In a match of see-sawing fortunes, Sri Lanka had the upper hand on the opening two days before a first-innings century from Mitchell and a swashbuckling 72 from Matt Henry -- the last 60 from only 35 deliveries -- swung the game in New Zealand's favour.
Sri Lanka fought their way back into contention on the fourth day with a defiant 115 from Angelo Mathews, who built partnerships of 105 for the fifth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal and then 60 with Dhananjaya de Silva.
When the Sri Lanka second innings folded at 302 it left New Zealand needing 285 to win on a ground where the highest fourth-innings score was 256-8 by New Zealand in a 2018 draw against England.
Devon Conway was removed for five, leaving the outcome on a knife-edge going into the final day.
When play resumed on Monday, Prabath Jayasuriya made early in-roads with the wickets of Tom Latham for 25 and Henry Nicholls for 20.
Asitha Fernando bowled Mitchell and Tom Blundell (three) and had Michael Bracewell caught for 10 to leave New Zealand 266-6 and needing a further 19 runs with 16 balls left.
Williamson kept going to take the game to the final ball as Tim Southee (one) and Matt Henry (four) came and went, with Neil Wagner not out nought.
For Sri Lanka, Fernando took 3-63 and Jayasuriya 2-92.
The second Test starts in Wellington on Friday.
(AFP)
Nirmal De Silva Monday, 13 March 2023 12:39 PM
Sri lanka played really well. It will be a uphill task anyway to win in their own backyard with very good New Zealand side.If we can draw the series from hear onwards it will be good achievement.
Man Monday, 13 March 2023 01:08 PM
The reason is that SL started the game imagining that they already won the series and already qualified for the final. And played some reckless T20 shots like Oshada did. No basics followed in test cricket by consolidating the position, without throwing away the wickets, as there is no hurry. Some say SL was positive and Kusal had the fastest fifty while Angelo played a marvelous innings and others must take him as an example, next time to win and square the series, please.
Anne Monday, 13 March 2023 01:12 PM
Those who watched the match will know how well Sri Lanka played and how close it was, especially given that about a session and a half of the last day was lost to rain.
Anthony Monday, 13 March 2023 03:17 PM
Yes, Sri Lanka played well, and if not for the dropped catch Sri Lanka would have definitely won.
Oh cricket Monday, 13 March 2023 04:47 PM
Selectors are at fault picking Dickwella whose batting is dismal on the basis of him being the best wicketkeeper
Jude Monday, 13 March 2023 09:23 PM
I've a message for umpire Chris Gaffney, hey what is good for the goose is good for the Gander yeah, kiwi bowlers Wagner and Mitchell bowled barrage of leg side bowling but Only SL spinner Jayasuriya got penalized!! Apply the rules fairly to both sides!! Even Kiwis great Stephen Fleming in the commentary booth said that's a wrong call by the umpire and I rest my case!!
Jude Monday, 13 March 2023 10:10 PM
Kane Williamson single handedly shattered the dreams of SL make into the WTC finals!! And all because Dickwella made a monumental error When he dropped Kane at 33 !! 9 out of 10 a wicketkeeper at this level must hold unto them !!
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