New Zealand’s cricket team has pulled off an incredible win against Sri Lanka in the first test match of their two-match series.
New Zealand needed to chase down a target of 285 runs to win the match, and they did it in dramatic fashion by hitting the winning run on the final ball of the match. This gave them a two-wicket victory.
New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, played a starring role in the victory. He scored an unbeaten 121 runs, which was his 27th test century. Daryl Mitchell also played a vital part, scoring 81 runs and sharing a crucial 142-run partnership with Williamson.
The game was affected by rain, which meant that the first 4 and a half hours of the final day were washed out. However, when the weather cleared, New Zealand was given an extended session to chase down their target. They went into the final day on 28-1, needing 257 more runs to win.
Sri Lanka had some early success with the ball, taking two quick wickets. New Zealand batted well in the afternoon and needed 15 runs from the final two overs to win. Tim Southee was caught in the deep, and Matt Henry was run out, leaving New Zealand’s victory hopes hanging by a thread.
However, Williamson kept his cool and hit a crucial four off the fourth ball of the final over. This mean that New Zealand needed just one run to win. In the end, former captain Neil Wagner and Williamson secured the winning run with a bye, Williamson diving full length to get his bat down in the crease before a direct hit broke the stumps.
The second test match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be played at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, starting on Friday.
BLACKCAPS WIN BY 2 WICKETS!
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