Williamson's Heroics Secure Victory For New Zealand In Epic Test Match Against Sri Lanka
Williamson played a memorable knock [Source: Twitter]
New Zealand pulled off a stunning victory for the ages over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Christchurch on Monday, leaving their opponents out in the cold from the running for the World Test Championship Final.
The nail-biting game, which swung like a pendulum on the first four days with the visitors dominating it for the most part, culminated in a resounding triumph for the hosts courtesy of some breathtaking and fearless cricket in the last session and a resilient match-winning century by Kane Williamson.
How the battle panned out on Day 5?
The first session on Day 5 was a damp squib, as rain poured down, extinguishing the Lankans’ hopes of qualifying for the WTC Final. When play resumed in the second session, only 53 overs could be bowled, which seemed like a tall order for New Zealand, who needed to score 257 runs, while also picking up nine wickets for Sri Lanka.
As the play began, Prabath Jayasuriya bowled a peach of a ball to deceive Tom Latham early on, who departed for 24 off 80 balls.
On the other end, Williamson seemed shaky, but managed to cling on with a sprinkle of good fortune. After the first drinks break, Jayasuriya struck again, this time dismissing Henry Nicholls for 20 off 24 balls.
With 190 runs still required, first innings centurion Daryl Mitchell teamed up with the former New Zealand skipper and the duo began to steady the innings after two quick blows. While Williamson opted for a cautious approach, Mitchell played the role of the aggressor, scoring runs at a rapid pace.
.jpg)
The mountain seemed too steep for the Kiwis to climb against a formidable Sri Lankan attack, but the way Mitchell attacked the bowlers brought the equation down to 58 runs off the final 10 overs, which appeared attainable.
Nevertheless, the Kiwis lost Mitchell (81 off 86 balls) and Tom Blundell (3 off 5 balls) in quick succession, as Sri Lanka bounced back into the game, with Asitha Fernando claiming both the wickets.
However, the New Zealand talisman stood tall and kept his side in the hunt by keeping the scoreboard ticking. He brought up his 27th Test century in the process, an innings that will be etched in memory for a long time.
After completing his century, Williamson and Michael Bracewell kept the scoreboard ticking with some exquisite running, fetching singles and doubles. With just 20 runs needed off the final three overs, Bracewell perished for 10 while trying to pull a Fernando delivery.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee strode in to join Williamson in the middle but his stay was brief as he went for a glory shot only to hole out in the deep for 1. An injured Matt Henry with three stitches to his hand came to the crease to join Williamson to see their side home.
With six needed off four balls, Henry sacrificed his wicket while taking a two to put Williamson on strike. As the disaster struck, birthday boy Neil Wagner had to hobble out to bat with a lingering injury.
With five runs still needed from three balls, Williamson came up clutch, unleashing a sizzling boundary that sent the packed stadium into a frenzy.
However, just when the Kiwis thought they had regained control of the match, the next ball was a rocketing bouncer that resulted in a tense dot.
With one run required off the final delivery, Williamson's eyes were fixed on the ball as it zipped past him. But the Kiwis remained calm under pressure, scampering home for the winning run off a bye.
The electrifying win by two wickets will go down as one of the greatest wins in Test cricket history. This is the second consecutive time that the Kiwis have snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, with their unbelievable one-run win over England still fresh in memory.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka (2nd innings): 302-10 (105.3)
Angelo Matthews 115 (235), Dhananjaya de Silva 47 (73);
Blair Tickner 4-100, Matt Henry 3-71
New Zealand (2nd innings): 285/8 (70)
Kane Williamson 121* (194). Daryl Mitchell 81 (86);
Asitha Fernando 3-63, Prabath Jayasuriya 2-92
New Zealand won by two wickets.
 "Jatin")
