The first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka ended in tension. New Zealand won with the last ball of a rain-interrupted fifth day. The last-time champions defeated Sri Lanka by 2 wickets in the first Test to send India to the final of the World Test Championship.
Such a dramatic and exciting finish to Test cricket is rare. The New Zealand -Sri Lanka tension in the last half of the first Test showed once again how tight red ball cricket can be. The hosts needed 285 runs in 70 overs to win. At the end of 67 overs, New Zealand was in a favorable position. At that time, New Zealand needed 20 runs to win, Sri Lanka on the other hand needed 5 wickets. Asita Fernando dismissed Mitchell Bracewell in the second ball of the 68th over. At the other end of the wicket was Kane Williamson. He was the big hope of New Zealand and also Sri Lanka’s worries. Because, he is the only recognized batter on the 22 yards. Brace was wentl out for 10 runs, so the speed of New Zealand’s runs decreased. 5 runs came in the 68th over.
The Kiwis needed 15 runs in 2 overs at the start of the 69th over. However, Sri Lanka required 4 wickets from New Zealand. In that over, Dasun Shanaka’s team hit the opponent camp once again. New Zealand scored 3 runs in the first two balls of Lahiru Kumara but Tim Southee got out in the third ball. Kiwis went under more pressure. They needed 12 runs off 9 balls to win. The excitement of white ball cricket in Test cricket rose again on the field. Williamson scored 4 runs in the remaining three balls of the 69th over in partnership with his new partner Matt Henry.
The flavours of Test cricket is alive. New Zealand and Sri Lanka kept those alive
New Zealand needed 8 runs at the start of the 70th i.e. the last over of the Test. 3 wickets were what Sri Lanka needed. Williamson scored 2 runs in the first two balls of Fernando. Even then the game was somewhat tilted towards the hosts. But the tourists did not give up. Henry went ran out in the third ball of the last over while taking a quick run.
The nervous pressure further increases on the organizers. Still they needed 5 runs from 3 balls. The former New Zealand captain probably decided to do what he had to do. Williamson eased the pressure by hitting a boundary on the next ball. The runs of both teams becane equal. At least, there would be no chance of loss. However, there was still a shortage of 1 run from 2 balls to win. Sri Lanka, however, did not give up hope against New Zealand. Williamson could not get a run in the fifth ball of the 70th over. Fernando kept Sri Lanka’s hopes alive with a bouncer. The umpires could have called it a wide if they wanted. As it did not, Williamson needed 1 run to win the last match. Another dot ball means Sri Lanka will save the loss.
Rohit Sharma in the final of the World Test Championship.
In the gallery of Christ Church there was pin drop silence. Can New Zealand win against Sri Lanka? Can Sri Lanka save the loss? The decision will be made after one ball. After some time, Fernando started running from the bowling mark in consultation with the captain. The batter is Williamson. The experienced batsman was defeated by Fernando’s ball in the tension. Tried to pull but the ball did not connect with the bat. Even though the ball did not hit the bat, Williamson started running for runs.
Wagner had already started running. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwala threw the ball to Fernando. He also broke the wicket instantly. Has Williamson reached the crease? After watching the replay, the third umpire said the unbeaten Williamson (121). 1 run by. New Zealand wins in photo finish, Sri Lanka lost. Williamson’s tooth-and-nail fight and spirited last-ball run put Rohit Sharma in the final of the World Test Championship.
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