Black Caps take series lead in Dunedin

New Zealand completed an emphatic victory over Sri Lanka on the fifth and final day of the first Test in Dunedin when they bowled the visitors out for 282, clinching the win by 122 runs to take a one-lead in the two-match Test series.
Chasing a total of 405 runs to win, Sri Lanka resumed day five on 109 for three, still 296 runs short of victory, but had their two best batsman at the crease.
Dinesh Chandimal, who scored 83 in the first innings, was 31 not out overnight and captain Angelo Mathews joined him at the in the middle knowing their partnership would be vital to the outcome of the game.
The Asian pair added 56, Chandimal going to his second fifty of the match, and managed to survive more than the first hour of the morning session before Mathews was bowled by left-arm seamer Neil Wagner for 25 with the total on 165.
It was just the tonic that the Kiwis needed as left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner trapped Chandimal in front lbw for 58 with the hosts now sniffing victory.
Kithuruwan Vithanage and Milinda Siriwardana put on 48 for the sixth wicket but they were just delaying the inevitable as Tim Southee got Vithanage for 38 as the tourists went to lunch on 224 for six.
The tail-enders managed to sneak a few runs away but Sri Lanka were eventually all out for 282, meaning the hosts cannot now lose the series with the second and final Test starting in Hamilton on 18 December.
Latest
-
News
Keith Barker blows away Somerset to help Hampshire to victory
The visitors needed just one run in their second innings to seal victory.
-
News
Craig Overton claims 400th first-class wicket in Somerset-Hampshire clash
The England seamer’s three-wicket burst left the contest delicately balanced at the halfway stage.
-
News
Three positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.
-
News
Jofra Archer setback adds to England’s fast bowling injury crisis
Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season this week.
-
News
England bowler Jofra Archer sidelined for the summer after injury setback
Archer has suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.