Unproven Sri Lanka go down by 122 runs

New Zealand extended their unbeaten Test record to 12 matches on home soil after beating Sri Lanka by 122 runs at University Oval in Dunedin on Monday.

The visiting Sri Lanka’s plans to survive a minimum of 98 overs or become only the fifth team in Test history to achieve a target in excess of 400 became a distant hope in the first session of the final day when skipper Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal triggered an inexorable slide to their fourth successive loss to the Black Caps.

The duo’s departure when the score was 165 shortly after drinks ensured it was only a matter of time before Brendon McCullum cruised to another victory as captain on his home ground. Neil Wagner’s extorting full-length delivery which Angelo shouldered arms lifted the spirits of the Black Caps. Left-arm spinner Santner won his battle with Chandimal when the right-hander left-alone a pretty-much straight delivery as umpire Kettleborough made no mistakes with the decision.  

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Chandimal, who was 31 overnight, backed up his 83 in the first innings with a half century, the third time he has passed 50 in both innings of a test. The sub-continent’s leading run scorer in 2015 included 11 boundaries in his half century and also showed a resolute edge to his game by taking just six from the other 79 balls faced before raising his bat.

Milinda Siriwardana and Kithuruwan Vithanage counterattacked briefly, adding 48 together for the 6th wicket but Vithanage fell leg-before wicket to Tim Southee for a run-a-ball 38 after Kettleborough’s judgment was vindicated by the DRS. Siriwardana struck a full-on cover-drive straight to McCullum at mid-off for 29 as the inevitable loomed large for the Lankans.

The tail could not prevent Sri Lanka from a crushing defeat as they were completely outplayed by the New Zealanders in all three departments. Sri Lanka went down swinging, and were bowled out for 282. However their inexperienced batting line-up lasted 95.2 overs after playing 117.1 in the first innings which will be a big consolation for an inexperienced team rebuilding from the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Earlier in the match, Brendon McCullum had played the bold move of declaring New Zealand’s second innings at 267 for 3. With a first-innings lead of 137 runs, the eventual target of 405 always kept Sri Lanka in with a chance on a batting-friendly track.

Southee bagged six wickets in the match while Wagner bowled his heart out to take 5 scalps. Boult (4-110) and Santner (4-90) had four wickets each to their credit. However, in a game that was set up by new Zealand’s batsmen – Martin Guptill (156) and Tom Latham’s (109 not out) centuries, and Kane Williamson’s (88 & 71) twin half-centuries, it was BJ Watling who was the silent star with nine catches behind the wicket.

The second and final Test of the series is set to be played at the Seddon Park in Hamilton, starting from December 18.