Wagner, Boult bowl New Zealand to record win
New Zealand required only 14 deliveries on the final day to clinch a series win that took them to No. 3 in the Test rankings
25/12Result
2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Christchurch, Dec 26-30 2018
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
178 & 585/4d -
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
104 & 236 (106.2 ov)
Player of the Match
25/12Result
2nd Test, Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand at Christchurch, Dec 26-30 2018
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
178 & 585/4d -
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
104 & 236 (106.2 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
'Matt Henry's catch was the key moment' - Kane Williamson
The substitute plucked a low catch on day four to dismiss Kusal Mendis, breaking a mighty 318-ball stand for the third wicket
Injured Angelo Mathews almost certain to miss Australia tour
The allrounder has been ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the New Zealand tour and faces up to four weeks on the sidelines, according to the physio
Chandimal pleased with SL's 2018 despite 'big areas for improvement'
Despite losing four of their last five Tests, Sri Lanka won away series against Bangladesh and West Indies, as well as a home series against South Africa
Day 4
Wagner burst leaves Sri Lanka on the brink
He dismissed half-centurions Mendis and Chandimal in a hostile spell to crack open the game after a third-wicket century stand
Mathews sent for scans after hamstring trouble
He didn't return to bat after tea on the fourth day with Sri Lanka facing a fight to save the Test and the series
Neil Wagner provides the 'extra punch we need' - Shane Jurgensen
New Zealand's bowling coach was pleased with the efforts of the left-arm quick, who took three important wickets on day four at Hagley Oval
'I am going to try and get 1000 every year' - Mendis
Kusal Mendis was a "really happy" man after becoming the youngest batsman since 2005 to score 1000 Test runs in a calendar year
Day 3
Latham, Nicholls tons give New Zealand firm grip
Even if Sri Lanka muster Wellington-like resistance in chase of 660, the Christchurch weather is unlikely to turn in their favour
NZ build towards future-proof batting order
Over the next few years, the side will see the rewards of consistently backing the current group of batsmen, says batting coach Craig McMillan
Tom Latham's discipline inspires carpool buddy Henry Nicholls
'You look back at Tommy's 264 in Wellington, and for him to come out yesterday in the second innings and basically hit reset and do all that hard work again is pretty cool'
Day 2
Boult's 6 for 4 studs New Zealand's dominance
Sri Lanka started the second day in anticipation of a lead, but found themselves staring at a series defeat at the end of it
'I was just trying to pitch the ball up' - Boult
The New Zealand seamer put his incredible six-wicket burst in Christchurch down to "rhythm" and "getting into a groove"
Six wickets, four runs, 15 balls: when Boult wrecked Sri Lanka
With a 20-minute spell of phenomenal late swing, the left-arm quick sent Sri Lanka crashing to 104 all out
Samaraweera points to Sri Lanka's batting gains on day of losses
Sri Lanka's outgoing batting coach spoke of the numbers which suggest that, under him, their top order has made significant gains
Day 1
Southee helps New Zealand hit back on 14-wicket day
Lakmal's marathon spell that yielded a five-for keeps Sri Lanka with a fighting chance of pocketing a slim lead
Overlooked Lakmal rediscovers his fire
In Sri Lanka, he is relentlessly looked down by the spinners, banished to some corner of the field. In Christchurch, Suranga Lakmal was a different beast
'SL's short-ball tactics worked in our favour' - Southee
Top-scoring for his team with 68 off 65 balls, Southee collected 29 of his runs behind square on the legside
Others
'Christchurch century in 2014 taught me what Test cricket was about' - Dimuth Karunaratne
Likely to finish 2018 as the leading run-scorer among openers, Dimuth Karunaratne talks about his preparations for the final Test of the year, at Hagley Oval
We've always found a way to win - McMillan
With a chance to go up to third place in the Test rankings, the New Zealand batting coach hopes the team can find its due reward for long-term excellence
Can Sri Lanka continue to impress on green Christchurch pitch?
The visitors' batsmen made big gains in Wellington, but can they defy New Zealand's quicks in spicier conditions at the Hagley Oval?