Nz vs Sri Lanka

Kane Williamson hits a sublime unbeaten century as New Zealand complete a thrilling two-wicket win over Sri Lanka off the final ball of the first Test.

Matt Henry was run out attempting a second run off the third ball, bringing an injured Neil Wagner to the crease. [Greg Foot investigates how such claims come out in the wash...](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001hnm2?at_mid=zjSROqNsoS&at_medium=owned_display&at_campaign=bbc_sliced_bread_eco_laundry_products_sport_in_article_promo_box&at_brand=p07012sf&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_campaign_type=owned&at_objective=consumption&at_ptr_type=media&at_link_origin=sport_in_article_promo_box&at_format=image&at_link_title=bbc_sliced_bread_eco_laundry_products_sport_in_article_promo_box&at_bbc_team=BBC) [Find out how the new owner is transforming the company](https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001jwb5/panorama-elon-musks-twitter-storm?at_mid=MFr4myye1U&at_medium=display_ad&at_campaign=Panorama_Elon_Musks_Twitter_Storm&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=b006t14n&at_ptr_name=bbc&at_campaign_type=owned&at_objective=consumption&at_ptr_type=media&at_link_origin=sport_in_article_promo_box&at_format=image&at_link_title=Panorama_Elon_Musks_Twitter_Storm&at_bbc_team=BBC) [finished in a draw](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/64938608), ensuring India won the series 2-1. Kane Williamson hit a sublime unbeaten century to lead New Zealand to a thrilling two-wicket win over Sri Lanka off the final ball of the first Test. Sri Lanka needed to sweep New Zealand 2-0 in this series to qualify, so India will now face Australia in the final at The Oval.

The Black Caps have somehow achieved an astonishing victory in the final moments of a test — again. A fortnight after a one-run win over England that seemed ...

But there were a couple more complications to come, the first when Mitchell unluckily dragged onto his stumps. From such a position, the sun still shining, it felt like there could be only one winner. No 27 came up in fading light this evening, with 32 still needed, and finding the gaps while tearing between the wickets, that half-finished job was eventually, amazingly, completed. Williamson’s steady accumulation was initially complemented well by Daryl Mitchell’s aggression, the pair putting together a pivotal fourth-wicket stand of 142 from 157. The first came when Williamson’s stay was almost ended on 33, fortunate to see wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella spill an edge low to his right. Henry’s desperation wasn’t enough to avoid a runout, leaving Wagner to charge to the crease in a manner belying the bulging disc in his back and the tear in his hamstring.

'Test cricket holy s***': Kiwis win by three inches in ANOTHER last-ball nailbiter.

New Zealand needed 257 runs from 53 overs for victory, while Sri Lanka required nine wickets to keep their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final alive. When Daryl Mitchell waltzed to the crease, New Zealand needed 195 runs from 34.2 overs — the odds were heavily against them. The penultimate delivery was, controversially, a dot ball, with a bouncer from Fernando flying over Williamson’s head. The decision was sent upstairs to the third umpire, with replays confirming Williamson was safe by less than five centimetres. Only a couple of weeks ago, we were saying the same thing about Sri Lankan seamer Asitha Fernando delivered a well-directed bouncer that sailed past Williamson’s head and into the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

Kane Williamson and Neil Wagner stole a bye from the last ball of the first cricket Test to beat Sri Lanka by two wickets and emphasize New Zealand's ...

Southee's five-for helped New Zealand end Sri Lanka's first innings at 355 in a solid start to the second day. New Zealand captain Tim Southee saw a green pitch on the first day and sent Sri Lanka in. It contained two centuries, numerous half centuries, a five-wicket haul to Tim Southee and it saw some of the chess-like tactical moves of good cricket. Neil Wagner, the hero of New Zealand's win over England, had been supposed to be ruled out of the match and the next test with a bulging disc in his back and a hamstring strain. Once again the lower order came to New Zealand's rescue. The final and crucial decision was left to the video umpire. When it cleared the umpires announced a single extended session in which New Zealand needed 257 runs to win and Sri Lanka needed nine wickets. “Unfortunately we were on the losing side but I think it was a pretty good game,” Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne said. A limpid rainbow hung over Hagley Park as the players came out in the late afternoon to play out the last chapter of an absorbing match. “Exceptional from Kane and Daryll and all the guys. Williamson played at but missed another short ball and ran through, arriving as the stumps were shattered by a Sri Lanka throw at the non-striker's end. A winning result seemed impossible though the session was extended to at least 52 overs and more than 3-1/2 hours.

Just when you thought the drama of New Zealand's one-run win over England couldn't be matched, the Black Caps and Sri Lanka turned in a doozy.

He finished with 3-63 in a losing cause, but was perhaps fortunate the bouncer he fired down with the penultimate delivery wasn’t called wide. Needing five runs to win from three balls, he carved Fernando behind square for a crunch boundary. Williamson looked anything but comfortable the opening half hour, when he struggled for timing and was beaten on numerous occasions. New Zealand were almost cruising before he cleaned up Mitchell and Blundell. A no-brainer – Dickwella’s crucial drop of Williamson. He was on 33 when he edged a Lahiru Kumara delivery, only for the keeper to fail to hold on to the diving chance.

Needing one to win off the final ball of the game, Williamson and an injured Neil Wagner scampered through for a bye.

"It's disappointing for us, but if you look at the positive side I think we've done really, really well compared to the last one. The final is now confirmed to be between Australia and India, who incidentally are currently wrapping up a four Test series in India. Then the final ball. Mitchell was awarded man of the match for his scores of 102 and 81 in the Test, and said the Kiwi spirit helped lead the side to victory. Another bouncer, a wild slash from Williamson, a charging Wagner diving for the line at the striker's end, and Williamson just touching down at the non-striker's before Fernando threw down the stumps. Needing one to win off the final ball of the game, Williamson and an injured Neil Wagner scampered through for a bye, with the former diving over the line to seal the win despite Sri Lanka getting a direct hit at the non-striker's end.