Black Caps’ pacemen ensure series lead
New Zealand fast bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee were the stars in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch, ensuring an eight-wicket win with a day to spare.
Boult and Southee both took four wickets in the second innings, while Neil Wagner and Jimmy Neesham had done the same in the first innings.
The Kiwis batted just the once, and made 441, before their bowlers did the job twice. They bowled Sri Lanka out for 138, forced them to follow on, and bowled them out for 407. As such, they needed just 105 runs to win, which they got on day four.
The fourth day began with Sri Lanka still 10 runs behind and with five wickets in hand. They were on 293 for five, with Angelo Mathews well set on 53 overnight. He advanced to 66 before being removed by Southee.
The tail did wag slightly as Shaminda Eranga's 45 took the score past 400 and brought up a tree-figure lead, but it was never going to be enough as the pacemen and Mark Craig's single wicket ensured their demise.
The Black Caps needed 30.4 overs to reach the target, losing both openers cheaply. But Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson, scoring 39 and 31 respectively, knocked off the runs to give their side an extra day's rest before the new year.
The second and final Test starts on 3 January at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Latest
-
NewsJonny Bairstow says IPL stints can improve England players across all formats
In years gone by the IPL presented a major bone of contention for players like Kevin Pietersen and the ECB.
-
NewsEngland all-rounder Moeen Ali joins Chennai Super Kings in 2021 IPL auction
Moeen found himself at the centre of a battle for his services.
-
NewsGlenn Maxwell joins his dream team after IPL auction bidding war
Glenn Maxwell will get to share a dressing room with his idol AB de Villiers when the 2021 IPL gets underway.
-
NewsIndia stars make rankings charge after mammoth win
India’s second Test heroes have been rewarded with progress in the latest ICC Test rankings.
-
NewsChris Silverwood apologises over way Moeen Ali’s departure was communicated
It has been established that Moeen is merely taking his own allocated break period.
-
News‘The decision was ours’ – Chris Silverwood clarifies reason for Moeen Ali exit
Captain Joe Root said in a post-match press conference on Tuesday that the all-rounder had “chosen” to leave the tour of India.
-
NewsDavid Warner makes himself available for The Hundred draft
Over 500 players are chasing the remaining 35 selection slots.
-
NewsShubman Gill and Umesh Yadav named in India squad
Gill was hit on the left forearm while fielding at short leg during the hosts’ series-levelling win in the second Test at Chennai.
-
News‘My heart is clear and time is right’ – Faf Du Plessis retires from Test cricket
The former Proteas captain scored 4,163 runs at an average of 40.02 in his 69 Tests.
-
NewsVirat Kohli hails India’s ‘perfect game’ after crushing win over England
India won by 317 runs to square the series at 1-1.