Kiwis Thrash Sri Lanka to Level Series

Colombo: New Zealand have beaten Sri Lanka by 167 runs on the last day at P Sara Oval to end a nine-Test winless run since January.

The drought included five straight Test defeats, including the first Test in Galle last week, a humiliating 10-wicket loss in three days.

New Zealand bowled out Sri Lanka for 195 in their second innings, five overs after tea.

Angelo Mathews was last out, for a dogged 84 off 228 balls in just under five hours. He was the only batsman to score more than 30.

Sri Lanka started the day at 47-4, 316 runs away from an unlikely victory, and toiled in seeking a draw to win the series 1-0.

But the equally desperate New Zealanders kept chipping away with wickets; one in the morning, two after lunch, and the last three in a sudden rush at the end to win a test in Sri Lanka for the first time since 1998.

Brief scores
New Zealand 412 (Taylor 142, Williamson 135, Herath 6-103) and 194 for 9 dec (Taylor 74)
Sri Lanka 227 (Samaraweera 76, Mathews 47, Southee 5-62, Boult 4-42) and 195 (Mathews 84, Southee 3-58, Boult 3-33)
Status New Zealand won by 167 runs
MOM Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
Player of the series Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)

Scores	Upcoming	Results
No games being played at this time. 1st Test - Bangladesh v Zimbabwe - April 20-24, 04:00 GMT 2nd Test - Bangladesh v Zimbabwe - April 28-02, 04:00 GMT 3rd ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at New Zealand won by 43 runs 2nd ODI - New Zealand v Pakistan at New Zealand won by 84 runs

Related links

New Zealand Tour of Sri Lanka 2012 News

Kiwis Thrash Sri Lanka to Level Series [+]

New Zealand have beaten Sri Lanka by 167 runs on the last day at P Sara Oval to end a nine-Test winless run since January.

Seamers Give New Zealand Edge [+]

Sri Lanka, needing 363 to win, were 47-4 in their second innings at stumps on the fourth day of the second and final Test against New Zealand at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo on Wednesday.

Samaraweera, Randiv Save Follow-on [+]

Samaraweera was unbeaten on 76 as the hosts reached 225-6 in their first innings at stump on day three in reply to New Zealand's 412 at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.

Southee Give New Zealand Control [+]

Tim Southee rattled Sri Lanka with two wickets off three balls to put New Zealand in command on Day 2 of the second and final Test at the P Sara Oval.

Taylor, Williamson Boost New Zealand [+]

Ross Taylor cracked an impressive 119 not out to help New Zealand reach 223/2 at stump on the opening day of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand Bat, Todd Astle Debuts [+]

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat first in the final Test at the P Sara Oval.

Kiwis Look for Better Show Against Spin [+]

New Zealand will be keen to put in an improved batting performance against Sri Lankan spin in the second and final Test in Colombo from Sunday to halt their losing streak.

Herath Star in Sri Lanka's Easy Win [+]

Herath starred with the ball in both innings (5-65 and 6-43) as Sri Lanka won the match on the third day by 10 wickets against New Zealand in Galle on Monday.

Galle Test Widely Open After Day 2 [+]

New Zealand led Sri Lanka by 9 runs at close of play on a see-saw day 2 at Galle which saw fortunes fluctuating from one team to the other.

Herath Five Take Opening Day Honours [+]

Rangana Herath bagged a five-wicket haul to put Sri Lanka in a strong position on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand in Galle.