Kane Williamson and Neil Wagner stole a last-ball bye to give New Zealand a memorable two-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the opening Test of the two-match series on Monday. New Zealand had beaten England by one run in another thrilling Test just two weeks ago. Due to rain, the play of the first two sessions was not possible on the fifth day of the match.
When the clouds parted from the sky, New Zealand needed 257 runs to win in 53 overs and Sri Lanka needed nine wickets in one session. Former captain Williamson made full use of his experience, scoring an unbeaten 121 to ensure New Zealand’s victory. New Zealand needed 131 runs in the last 20 overs and 101 runs in the last 15 overs to win in dim light.
Daryl Mitchell, who scored 102 in the first innings, ably supported Williamson by scoring an aggressive 81 in the second innings and laid the foundation for New Zealand’s victory. Man of the match Mitchell shared a 142-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take the team to a winning position. New Zealand needed 53 more runs to win when he was dismissed by Asita Fernando’s yorker.
Fernando then dismissed Tom Blundell (3) and Michael Bracewell (10) to bring Sri Lanka back into the match. New Zealand needed eight runs in the last over to win. After scoring two runs in the first two balls, Matt Henry (four) was run out on the third ball. Wagner was in a local hospital with an injury but returned to the field as the match gathered momentum and came to the crease with the team needing five runs from three balls. Williamson then hit a four but missed the next ball.
After this, the team needed one run on the last ball. Williamson missed the shot ball but he completed the run before the fielder at the other end scattered the wickets to give the team the victory. This is New Zealand’s third biggest win while chasing the target.
With this defeat, the Sri Lankan team was out of the race for a place in the final of the World Test Championship. Chasing 285 to win, New Zealand started the fifth day at 28 for one.
New Zealand had scored 373 runs in reply to Sri Lanka’s 335 runs in the first innings. Sri Lanka had scored 302 runs in their second innings.
