New Zealand won the second Test match against Sri Lanka by a huge margin of 193 runs consequently won the two matches Test series by 2-0.
Match Report: New Zealand v Sri Lanka; 2nd Test match; Wellington; 3-7th January 2015.
New Zealand's two W's, Williamson & Watling set a new record for their team. They set New Zealand's highest 6th wicket stand of 365 runs. The 356 runs' unbeaten partnership brought fourth test ton for Watling while Williamson scored his maiden test double-century.
A 365 runs record stand between Kane Williamson & John Watling in the second innings set the stage for New Zealand's victory which was rightly exploited by New Zealand's bowlers who restricted Sri Lankan's at just 196 runs in chase of 390 runs' target. This is one of the most remarkable Test victories for New Zealand.
Williamson has been remarkable throughout the match. In the first innings when none of the New Zealander gave a noticeable performance he remained highest scorer with 69 runs. Pradeep was magnificent as he took four important wickets for Sri Lanka.
In its first innings Sri Lanka was much convincing with the terrific performance from Kumar Sangakara who hit a double century. This was Sangakara's 11th double ton in Test cricket. 130 runs partnership between Sangakara and Dinesh Chandimal strengthened Sri Lanka's position at that time. Neesham broke the partnership as he took Chandimal's wicket when he was at 67. Rest of the Sri Lankan team failed on the foreign soil. Sri Lanka's first innings ended at 356 runs.
Williamson replied Sangakara's double ton with his double ton in the second innings. With a lead of just 24 runs, New Zealand was stumbling at 159 - 5 in the second innings when Watling joined Williamson and the duo took the team to a solid lead of 390 runs alongside setting a record partnership and the maiden double ton for Williamson.
Though 390 wasn't an easy target to chase but with Sangakara in team anything could have been possible. But here bowlers gave New Zealand breakthrough. Trent Boult and Doug Bracewell did the early damage while Mark Craig sent the remaining four players back to pavilion.
Sangakara departing at just 5 runs was a big blow for Sri Lanka while for New Zealand it proved to be a fruitful review as third umpire overturned the on-field umpire's call of not out. Visibly disturbed Sangakar left the field, he was followed by Silva,50, who was the only set batsman then. All hopes were on Mathews & Lahiru Thirimanne, but Mathews remained unlucky as failed to cross the double figures. Williamson took the breathtaking single-handed catch of Mathews. Thirimanne, 62*, was the only player who stand till end but there was no one on the other end who could support him. With Tim Southee taking his first and Sri Lanka's last wicket, New Zealand sealed one of it's prodigious victory.
Scorecard:
New Zealand 221 (Williamson 69, Pradeep 4-63) and 524 for 5 dec (Williamson 242*, Watling 142*) beat Sri Lanka 356 (Sangakkara 203*, Chandimal 67) and 196 (Thirimanne 62*, Craig 4-63) by 193 runs.