Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten century to guide New Zealand to a last-ball victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Christchurch. Rain had washed out the morning as the Black Caps began the day on 28 for one, needing 285. The Black Caps went into the final over needing seven runs and with three wickets remaining. Matt Henry was run out off the third ball but Williamson struck a four off the fourth to draw the scores level.
There was no score off the next ball but, although Williamson missed his pull attempt at the final ball, he hurled himself towards the non-striker’s end and got his bat over the line just before the ball struck the stumps to secure a two-wicket victory.
Williamson, who finished with 121 not out, survived a review shortly after play did get under way and was the rock in New Zealand’s innings, with Daryl Mitchell who made 81 the only batter to stay with him for any length of time.
It follows the Black Caps’ dramatic one-run victory over Brendon McCullum’s England side just a few weeks ago. Having been asked to follow on in that game, New Zealand produced a brilliant second innings performance, including another Williamson ton, to give England a hard target.
New Zealand claimed victory with England needing just one run. Defeat for Sri Lanka will be particularly agonising as they would have qualified for the World Test Championship final, to be held at the Oval in June, had they beaten New Zealand 2-0 and Australia held India in the final Test of their four-match series.
Australia and India will now face off in south London at the outset of the British summer as they battle it out to win the second edition of the ICC’s latest competition. New Zealand beat India at Southampton in 2021 to win the inaugural prize. The second Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka takes place in Wellington from March 16.
