The fans have witnessed a thriller in Christchurch, New Zealand where the Kiwis have defeated Sri Lanka in a thrilling first Test of the two-match Test series by 2 wickets in the final over of the match. Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has broken many Indian hearts earlier in major world tournaments, but this time he played a match-winning knock and helped the Indian team seal their spot in the Test Championship final in June against Australia.
The start of the 5th was delayed due to the wet outfield and 37 overs were also lost due to the rain. No one would’ve thought that the Blackcaps will pull off a victory in this situation as they needed 257 runs off 53 overs. It was definitely not an easy task to do that too in front of mighty Sri Lankan bowlers.
Kane Williamson smashed a brilliant century
New Zealand already lost their first wicket at the end of the fourth day as all of the Lankan pacers bowled brilliantly in the brief period of play that was possible and Kasun Rajitha picked the only wicket to fall, that of Conway. While coming to bat on the fifth day, the Kiwis lost Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls early, they got trapped by the spin of Prabath Jayasuriya.
However, later, Daryl Mitchell, who smashed a brilliant century in the first innings, came to bat and helped the team switch gears. He stitched an outstanding 142-run stand with Williamson for the 4th wicket. He brought the run rate under achievable terms. Taking nothing away from the Sri Lankan bowlers, they bowled brilliantly, especially in the end but Williamson kept his cool till the end to take his side to an outstanding victory and also smashed a brilliant century that will be remembered for a long time.
With this win, New Zealand helped the Indian team qualify for the Test championship final. They are currently in action against the Australian in the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar series which is heading towards a draw. However, it will only benefit the Men in Blue as they are already leading the series 2-1.
Here’s how fans reacted:
This 100 of kane >>>>> Chokli 186
— Leo Messi ABD 🐐×🐐 (@ABDmessitheGOAT) March 13, 2023
— Munna Verma (@MunnaVe05551902) March 13, 2023
Test cricket 👌💓
— cricket is love 🤩 (@Sarandeep__) March 13, 2023
Can't expect this type of cricket happening on dead Indian pitches
— Don Corleone Parody (@Saffron_Archer1) March 13, 2023
Beauty of test cricket 🎊
— Lovely Sinha (@LovelyS76340398) March 13, 2023
— Sanket Shah (@SanketS64861430) March 13, 2023
What a match 🔥
— Manjyot Wadhwa (@Manjyot68915803) March 13, 2023
— ▄︻̷̿┻̿═━一 (@NO_VIS0R) March 13, 2023
Reached wtc final just to be owned by Australia
— HRXANON (@ADA_rules) March 13, 2023
