In the second Test, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 58 runs to sweep the two-match series. Fast bowler Blair Tickner and spinner Michael Bracewell toiled all day in a Wellington wind to get the job done.
The victory, which was sealed on the fourth day with just a few minutes left, capped New Zealand’s remarkable summer of at-home test matches, which also included victories by one run over England at the Basin Reserve and by two wickets over Sri Lanka on the final ball of the first Test.
With fading light and a howling wind on Monday, New Zealand pursued Sri Lanka’s final two wickets but once again couldn’t win without controversy.
Had it failed to bowl out Sri Lanka, it would have had to try again the next day when rain was predicted in Wellington.
Before the home team was able to win the crucial wickets for victory, Sri Lanka’s final two pairs battled the New Zealand bowlers for nearly two hours. After bowling 67 overs in the first innings before enforcing the follow-on, New Zealand needed to bowl 142 overs to dismiss Sri Lanka in the second innings.
With the exception of a few minutes on the last day, Sri Lanka batted all day thanks to Dhanahaya de Silva’s 98 and Dinesh Chandimal’s 62. The Sri Lankan tail bravely attempted to extend the match into the fifth day, when the weather might intervene. Kusal Rajitha batted for two and a half hours, Prabath Jayasuriya batted for an hour, and Lahiru Kumara batted for an hour. Taking 3-21 was Southee.
As the light waned, New Zealand seized an additional 30 minutes. Rajitha’s protracted vigil came to an end when he was bowled by Tim Southee for 20, and Sri Lanka was declared out for 358.
