Another Thrilling Finish to a Test Match

Another close encounter we witnessed today in Christchurch. It's the final ball win for Kiwis against Sri Lanka in the Test match. This match once again proves that Test Cricket can be pretty exciting and it's still the best version of the game.

And we know that both SL and NZ are good at providing heart-attack ends to the game. And this is exactly what happens when these two teams meet together.

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• With the heat of the World Test Champions Finals, New Zealand and Sri Lanka are facing crucial Test series. The first Test was bouncing toward both teams from time to time making it interesting.

• Batting first Sri Lanka, scored 355 runs in 92 overs. Eventhough the start was not good, Kusal played a Bazball-like 87-run knock along with the captain Dimma. After all, it's a good first-inning score under pressure, and in the NZ condition. Southee took a fifer and Wagner took four wickets.

• NZ had a good start in the first inning with 67 runs. But Sri Lankan pacers set them behind, mainly Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara. They were 235 for 7. But Daryl Mitchel (102 runs) played an anchor role and the tail-enders Southee, Matt Henry(72 runs), and Wagner took them up to 373 runs.

Daryl Mitchell

• Sri Lanka in the second inning scored 302 runs with a magnificent century from Mathews. Chandimal and Dhanajaya got the forties, but I felt it was a bit short as NZ had more than a day to chase that target.

• Nothing much support from the other batters, especially Dickwella threw his wicket away at a crucial time.

The Veteran

• At the start of the final day, it rained for a few hours. When the play resumed, NZ needed 257 off 53 overs with 9 wickets in hand. Sri Lankan ballers didn't let them score runs freely. It almost took 27 overs for Kane and Latham to cross the 50 runs mark. And Prabhath Jayasuriya took the wickets of Latham and Henri. When Kane was at 33, Dikwella missed a catch of him off Lahiru Kumara which was a massive blow.

• Then Daryl Mitchell and Williamson together started to change things around. They scored runs freely and took the momentum on their side. When it comes to the last session they needed 101 runs off 15 overs.

Asitha Fernando

• Then Asitha took the wickets of Daryl, Tom Blundell, and Barcewell in quick succession with quality yorkers making it exciting.

• Anyway match came to the last over with 8 runs remaining and 2 wickets in hand. Kane hit a nice four and it needed one run off the final ball. He missed the ball and took the run as the keeper missed the direct hit. It was another masterclass knock from Kane to take the team home.

• Anway, even though we were defeated it was a quality fight from both teams.

Until the next time! Enjoy!

Thank you.
Best Regards!