OTD: New Zealand’s first Test win in Sri Lanka in 14 years

New Zealand registered one of their most memorable overseas Test victories on this day in 2012 as they defeated Sri Lanka by 167 runs in the second Test in Colombo. The win ended their 14-year wait for a Test victory on Sri Lankan soil, with their previous success coming back in 1998. After being outplayed in the opening Test in Galle, the Black Caps made a brilliant comeback, dominating the match from day one and levelling the two-match series 1-1.

New Zealand bounced back after starting with a strong first-innings batting effort, courtesy of captain Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson. The pair stabilised the innings after losing early wickets and put on a massive partnership. Taylor scored 142, while Williamson hammered 135. Their efforts took New Zealand to a total of 412. In return, Sri Lanka struggled against the opposition seam attack. Tim Southee ended with a fifer, while Trent Boult complemented him with four wickets. Sri Lanka’s top order suffered a collapse, and despite Thilan Samaraweera’s 76 and Suraj Randiv’s contribution, they could only manage 244.

Taylor once again led the run-scoring chart with 74. Efforts from Brendon McCullum and Todd Astle helped the visitors reach 194 for 9 declared, handing Sri Lanka a target of 363. Meanwhile, Rangana Herath continued his brilliant series with three second-innings wickets, finishing as the Player of the Series with 20 scalps.

Sri Lanka’s chase began in the worst possible manner as Southee removed Paranavitana with the first ball, and the top order collapsed once again. By the end of day four, Sri Lanka’s scorecard read 47 for 4, giving only two outcomes possible: a New Zealand win or a draw if Sri Lanka managed to bat out the final day. Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews played one of the best knocks of his Test career, scoring 84 off 228 balls. He found support from Prasanna Jayawardene and later Kulasekara.

Meanwhile, Boult began by removing Kulasekara and Eranga, with Todd Astle coming and picking up the wicket of Prasanna Jayawardene, while Bracewell chipped in with two important scalps. Eventually, Boult sealed the match by dismissing Mathews, ending Sri Lanka’s innings at 195.

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