All-round New Zealand level series with big win
New Zealand shrugged off five consecutive defeats with one of their most memorable victories in recent times, squaring the two-Test series with a 167-win at the P Sara Oval
25/11Result
2nd Test, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka at Colombo, Nov 25-29 2012
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
412 & 194/9d -
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
244 & 195 (85.5 ov)
Player of the Match
25/11Result
2nd Test, New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka at Colombo, Nov 25-29 2012
-
![New Zealand]( "New Zealand")
412 & 194/9d -
![Sri Lanka]( "Sri Lanka")
244 & 195 (85.5 ov)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Day 4
Seamers give New Zealand shot at victory
In an intriguing day's Test cricket, in which 17 wickets fell, New Zealand left the hosts tottering with the top four back in the pavilion chasing a challenging 363 on the last day at the P Sara Oval
Day 3
Sri Lanka fight back on slow day
Sri Lanka were still a long way off from matching New Zealand's score at the end of the third day, but gained a psychological boost by edging past the follow-on target of 213, thanks to a dogged stand between Thilan Samaraweera and Suraj Randiv
Day 2
Seamers give New Zealand control
After grinding out 412 in the better part of two days, New Zealand tightened their control of the second Test with an incisive spell by their seamers to nip out three wickets - the fulcrum of the top order - before stumps on the second day
Day 1
Taylor, Williamson put New Zealand in control
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor showed refreshing patience and application to wear down the Sri Lanka bowlers for the better part of three sessions to set a solid platform for a big score
Others
Overdue catharsis for NZ players and fans
There are plenty in New Zealand who love Richard Hadlee's sport better than Colin Meads'. They have endured too much hurt not to share a piece of this win with the eleven men who finally achieved it
An unspotted run-out, and Patel's walk
Plays of the day from the fourth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at P Sara Oval
New Zealand wait on Southee's fitness
Tim Southee's fitness remains uncertain on the eve of New Zealand's second Test against Sri Lanka
The Titanic turn, the synchronised dive
Plays of the day from the fifth day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand at P Sara Oval
Southee happy to hunt wickets with Boult
Tim Southee, after claiming 4 for 51 on the third day in Colombo, attributed his success to the others in the New Zealand pace attack, and in particular Trent Boult
Samaraweera proves his worth, again
Thilan Samaraweera throughout his cricketing career has proved himself a fighter; more so than any of the decorated men he bats below
Sri Lanka's P Sara woes continue
Stats from the fifth day's play in the second Test at the P Sara Oval
Jayawardene 'disappointed' with defeat
Mahela Jayawardene, said his side were unsatisfied with the 1-1 series result against New Zealand, after losing the second Test in Colombo
Pressure on Sri Lanka - Williamson
On a surface that even New Zealand's tail made seem friendly, three of Sri Lanka's big four batsmen could not manage better than single figures, and Kane Williamson said the value of those wickets could not be understated
Sri Lanka not worried about following on - Herath
Sri Lanka may have lost three of the four most prolific batsmen in their side on the second evening, but Rangana Herath says Sri Lanka will give little thought to avoiding the follow on
Lack of support for Herath costs Sri Lanka
An attack that hunts in a pack has always alluded Sri Lanka, and on the evidence of their first innings performance at the P Sara, they will not produce one in the immediate future either
Infectious poor shots
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the second day in Colombo
NZ quicks using height well - Kulasekara
Height has been the key to New Zealand fast bowlers' success, Nuwan Kulasekara said, as Sri Lanka face a climb to prevent the visitors from leveling the series
Taylor and Williamson show New Zealand the way
On the opening day of the Colombo Test, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson struck up exactly the right tempo for New Zealand, and worked the bowlers and the field like they had been in form for weeks
Stubborn bails, and the lbw that never was
Plays of the Day on the opening day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Colombo
New Zealand find reserves of resilience
New Zealand have shown resilience in bouncing back from their defeat in Galle and are within striking distance of a memorable, series-levelling victory
SL batsmen must overcome pace test
Sri Lanka's batting, which crumbled against New Zealand's seam attack in parts in the first Test, must find a way past them in more testing conditions at the P Sara Oval
Mathews' near miss, and his self-ignored advice
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from the third day of the Colombo Test