NZ vs SL: Clinical New Zealand complete clean sweep despite spirited fightback from Sri Lanka

New Zealand completed a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test series. Sri Lankan, despite a spirited performance in their second innings face defeat in final Test match. The fightback was led by Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva’s stubborn partnership on the fourth day. But, the Kiwi bowlers were too good for the visitors as Tim Southee’s men had the final say.

The fourth day started inauspiciously for the Sri Lankans as Mendis departed in the very first over of the day. Veteran middle-order batter Angelo Mathews also departed cheaply as Sri Lanka sled further into the match.

With Sri Lanka reduced to 114/4, the home side sensed an early finish to the match. However, Chandimal and de Silva stood in the way of the Kiwis with a stubborn partnership for the fifth wicket. The duo added 126 runs for the fifth wicket before Chandimal fell on the stroke of Lunch.

Dhananjaya de Silva, who fell just two short of a magnificent century, also stitched together a defiant stand for the sixth wicket along with wicketkeeper-batter Nishan Madushka. However, both batters departed in the space of six deliveries. The hosts had an upper-hand heading into the final session of the day.

New Zealand took the extra half an hour on offer after completing their full quota of overs on the day. They were just one wicket away from completing a resounding victory in the second Test in Wellington. It proved to be the decisive moment in the day as Kiwi skipper Tim Southee ended Kasun Rajitha’s defiance to claim a comfortable victory in the second Test. Earlier in the match, It was Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls’ double centuries, which propelled the home side to a mammoth total, establishing their stronghold in the match.