Tim Seifert was the match-winner for the second straight game as New Zealand clinched the T20 series against Sri Lanka with a tense four-wicket victory in Queenstown on Saturday.

Seifert blasted a career-high 88 off 48 balls to fire the Black Caps to 183-6 from 19.5 overs after the tourists had posted 182-6 in the third and final game at John Davies Oval.

The opener struck 10 fours and three sixes in an innings that bore many of the hallmarks of his unbeaten 79 when New Zealand levelled the series at Dunedin on Wednesday.

Captain Tom Latham provided the only meaningful support with 31 off 23 and New Zealand's middle order nearly conspired to lose the game after Seifert departed with four overs remaining.

Needing to score at little more than a run-a-ball at that stage, the Black Caps stuttered.

Needing 10 runs to win off the final over bowled by Lahiru Kumara (3-38), Mark Chapman struck a six off the first ball before he was the first of three New Zealand wickets to fall.

With two still needed off the last two deliveries, Rachin Ravindra held his nerve to find a gap in the outfield and secure the 2-1 series win.

Latham conceded the run chase should not have become so tight at the death.

"They put us under pressure so it was good to see the way the guys responded to that," Latham said.

"The way Timmy Seifert went out there and played was really important but obviously it wasn't ideal going down to the last couple of balls.

"I'd say we always had it under control though."

It completes a disappointing tour for Sri Lanka, who lost the test and ODI series by the same 2-0 scoreline but were more competitive in the shortest format.

Captain Dasun Shanaka said his team adjusted gradually to New Zealand conditions and suggested Sri Lankan cricket officials should take careful note.

"I think it's about preparation. We should make sure when we come here again, we should come at least two weeks, three weeks before we play," Shanaka said.

"Once we got into the T20 series we started looking a different team."

Sri Lanka gave themselves a shot at victory after Kusal Mendis struck a rapid 73 off 48 balls, taking full advantage after being dropped by Daryl Mitchell at slip when on 10.

The opener-wicketkeeper went on to hit six fours and five sixes in his 12th half-century, falling just short of his career-high score of 79.

Having been asked to bat, Mendis was the dominant figure in an opening stand of 76 with Pathum Nissanka (25 off 25), before putting on a further 46 with Kusal Perera (33 off 21).

Wickets fell rapidly over the closing overs, preventing the tourists from going close to 200.

Seifert has not been included in New Zealand's squad for the white ball tour of Pakistan beginning on Friday as he is expecting the arrival of his first child.

Sri Lanka's next assignment is a two-test home series against Ireland, beginning on April 16.

NEW ZEALAND: Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (capt), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

New Zealand demolished Sri Lanka with a nine-wicket victory in the second Twenty20 international to level the series Wednesday, as opener Tim Seifert finished on 79 not out.

Black Caps bowler Adam Milne had earlier taken five wickets for just 26 runs as Sri Lanka were skittled for just 141 runs.

Seifert then helped steer New Zealand to victory as the hosts hit a rapid-fire 146-1 in reply after 14.4 overs.

Their win in Dunedin meant New Zealand levelled the series 1-1 ahead of the decider this Saturday in Queenstown.

Sri Lanka had won the opening T20 match last Sunday in Auckland.

A dominant display by New Zealand sees them level the T20I series at 1-1 in Dunedin ??#NZvSL | ?? Scorecard: https://t.co/EYcTblVNtH pic.twitter.com/26gPmT2131

— ICC (@ICC) April 5, 2023

Milne's impressive bowling display meant New Zealand were set a target of 142 to win.

Opener Chad Bowes was caught after hitting 31 off 15 balls before Seifert peppered the boundary in a partnership of 106 with New Zealand captain Tom Latham, who finished 20 not out.

Seifert then wrapped up New Zealand's innings in style with two towering sixes.

It was a brutal defeat for Sri Lanka, who had made a good start.

Kusal Perera (35) and Dhananjaya de Silva (37) put on a middle-order partnership of 62 off 46 balls to steer the visitors to 99-4 after 12 overs.

The tourists then collapsed by losing their next six wickets for just 42 runs as New Zealand's seamers found their length to devastating effect.

Charith Asalanka was the last Sri Lankan batter to offer any resistance, chalking up 24 runs off 19 balls.

Milne did the most damage for New Zealand, picking off Sri Lanka's tailenders Dilshan Madushanka and Pramod Madushan without a run being scored.

Sri Lanka have lost both the test and one-day international series 2-0 during their tour of New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND: Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (capt), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha

Sri Lanka claimed a dramatic Super Over win in the opening match of their three-game Twenty20 series against New Zealand on Sunday to earn their first victory on tour.

The match went to a tie-break decider after both teams chalked up 196 runs in a high-scoring thriller at Auckland's Eden Park.

New Zealand only made 8-2 off a tight Super Over bowled by spinner Maheesh Theekshana before Charith Asalanka smashed a six off the second ball of Sri Lanka's response, then sealed victory with a four.

"That was a really nervous game and at the end, it's our day," said Asalanka.

"I tried to hit boundaries because I back myself.

"Momentum is most important for a team like us, a young team, and we're hoping to do well," he said ahead of the second T20 game in Dunedin on Wednesday before the three-game series concludes in Queenstown next Saturday.

The nail-biter in Auckland handed Sri Lanka their first win on a month-long tour of New Zealand after losing both the test and one-day international series by the same 2-0 scoreline.

Black Caps tailender Ish Sodhi had earlier set up the Super Over finish when he tied the scores by calmly hoisting the last ball of their 50 overs for six off Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka.

It completed a run chase that always looked unlikely for the home side but came alive when Rachin Ravindra scored 26 off 13 balls to follow key knocks from Daryl Mitchell (66 off 44) and Mark Chapman (33 off 23).

It left New Zealand needing 13 to win off the final over, a task that became harder to achieve when Adam Milne fell to the first delivery bowled by Shanaka.

"To climb our way back in our innings was outstanding and I thought for 'Ish' to hit that six was quite dramatic but it wasn't meant to be," said New Zealand captain Tom Latham.

"Super Overs can go either way, but we fell on the wrong side today."

Theekshana was a key performer for Sri Lanka with the ball, conceding 1-22 off four miserly overs, while fellow spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took 2-30 as New Zealand struggled for enough momentum through the early overs.

Left-hander Asalanka top-scored in Sri Lanka's 196-5, striking six sixes in a rapid 67 off 41 balls.

He put on 103 for the fourth wicket with Kusal Perera, who returned from a long-term shoulder injury in style.

The experienced Perera scored a controlled 53 not out off 45 balls in what was his first match for Sri Lanka in any format since the 2021 T20 World Cup, having spent nearly 18 months out.

Kusal Mendis started the run-fest by blasting 25 off just nine deliveries, having lost opening partner Pathum Nissanka to the first ball of the match bowled by Milne.

New Zealand struggled for timing in the Super Over, losing the wickets of Jimmy Neesham and Mark Chapman, who struck a lone boundary.

NEW ZEALAND: Chad Bowes, Tim Seifert, Tom Latham (capt), Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat in the third and final one-day international against New Zealand in Hamilton on Friday.

The tourists need a win to square the series with New Zealand holding a 1-0 lead after winning the opening ODI in Auckland last Saturday. The second game was washed out in Christchurch on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said he wanted to give his batters an early crack at the Seddon Park wicket.

He beefed up his batting in the wake of the heavy defeat in Auckland with Dhananjaya de Silva coming in for Dilshan Madushanka in the only change.

Sri Lanka were chasing a win to boost their hopes of a top-eight finish in the Super League, which carries automatic qualification for the ODI World Cup that starts this October in India.

The visitors are also looking for a first victory on their New Zealand tour, with a three-match Twenty20 series against the Black Caps due to start Sunday.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham made two changes, with opener Tom Blundell replacing Finn Allen while Henry Nicholls came into the middle order for Glenn Phillips.

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (capt), Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara

The second one-day international between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was washed out by persistent Christchurch rain on Tuesday in a further blow to the tourists' slender hopes of automatic qualification for this year's World Cup.

Sri Lanka, world champions in 1996, will receive only five points from the abandoned match, rather than the 10 they could have earned for a win, as they jockey with South Africa and West Indies for the final automatic slot.

Hosts India and seven other teams will directly qualify for the tournament with two more punching their tickets via a 10-team competition in Zimbabwe in June and July.

New Zealand won the opening match in the series by a thumping 198 runs at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday. The third and final match takes place at Hamilton on Friday.

Rain wins??? The 2nd @ANZAotearoa ODI v @OfficialSLC has been abandoned without a ball bowled. We move to Hamilton for the 3rd ANZ ODI on Friday 31 @seddonpark #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/0hHqUvJ7pj

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 28, 2023

Tom Latham will captain an inexperienced New Zealand team in next month's home Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka and the five-match series in Pakistan that follows, returning to the shortest format for the first time in nearly two years.With Kane Williamson and Tim Southee playing in the Indian Premier League and unavailable, the wicketkeeper-batsman will return to the leadership role he held in Bangladesh in 2021.

"We saw against India earlier this season the power and range of shots that Tom possess. His adaptability also means he can feature in a range of batting positions," coach Mike Stead.

"He led an inexperienced T20 squad to Bangladesh in 2021 and we were really impressed with his leadership of that group during a Covid bubble tour."

Former South Africa under-19 skipper and top order batsman Chad Bowes and seamer Henry Shipley, who made his one-day international debut in January, are in line to win their first T20 caps after being included in the squad for both series.

New Zealand play Sri Lanka in Auckland, Dunedin and Queenstown in the first week of April before three T20s against Pakistan in Lahore and another two in Rawalpindi from April 14-24.

Stead will skip the Pakistan T20s, leaving Shane Jurgensen to lead the team, but return to the helm for the subsequent five one-day matches against the hosts.

Squad: Tom Latham (captain), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (not Pakistan series), Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Will Young.

Pakistan series only: Dane Cleaver, Cole McConchie, Blair Tickner.

Henry Shipley claimed a career-best 5-31 to dismantle Sri Lanka as New Zealand steamrolled the tourists by 198 runs in the opening one-day international in Auckland on Saturday.

Chasing 275 for victory, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 76 in the 20th over with Shipley orchestrating their rout on a lively track at Eden Park.

Only three Sri Lankan batters managed double digits in their sorry-looking scorecard.

Earlier put into bat, New Zealand were all out for 274 with three deliveries left in their innings.

Five home batters got past 25 but opener Finn Allen's 51 was the highest score by a New Zealander.

Daryl Mitchell made 47 and Glenn Phillips contributed 39, while Rachin Ravindra (49) fell agonisingly short of a half-century in his maiden one-day international.

Chamika Karunaratne was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers claiming a career-best 4-43 on a lively pitch at Eden Park.

Playing his first ODI in two years, former captain Angelo Mathews found himself tasked with reviving Sri Lanka who lost both their openers inside four overs.

The wobble became a full-blown crisis with Shipley reducing Sri Lanka to 31 for five inside 10 overs.

The 26-year-old removed Charith Asalanka and Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Sanaka with successive deliveries but Karunaratne denied him a hat-trick.

Blair Tickner trapped Mathews lbw for 18, which turned out to be the highest score by a Sri Lankan.

The second ODI of the three-match series is scheduled in Christchurch on Tuesday.

NEW ZEALAND:Finn Allen, Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (capt), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Blair Tickner.

SRI LANKA:Nuwandidu Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka

New Zealand claimed victory against Sri Lanka by an innings and 58 runs on Monday to secure a 2-0 test series whitewash despite a late fightback from the visitors.

Sri Lanka notched just 164 in their first innings and were asked to follow on after the Black Caps declared at 580 in Wellington. They were then bowled out for 358.

"It was nice to get the win finished off, especially as the weather forecast wasn't great, which is part of the reason why we asked for the follow on," said New Zealand captain Tim Southee.

"It's been a pleasing few weeks in the whites with a number of guys stepping up at different times," he added with New Zealand on three straight test wins including last month's thrilling victory over England to level that series 1-1.

New Zealand stuck to their task after Dhananjaya de Silva launched a fightback on Monday, passing 3 000 test runs before being caught on 98, missing a 10th test century.

The home seamers had already sniffed victory when they broke his 76-run partnership with debutant wicketkeeper Nishan Madushka, who was caught just before the tea break.

The loss of de Silva signalled the end of the resistance – Sri Lanka lost their last three wickets for 40 runs as the tailenders were picked off.

Southee and New Zealand seamer Blair Tickner did most of the damage with three wickets apiece.

'REALLY DISAPPOINTING'

After Sri Lanka resumed the day on 113-2, New Zealand's pace attack offered no respite in the first over of Monday as Matt Henry's delivery saw Kane Williamson catch Kusal Mendis on 50.

The visitors were in danger of folding at 116-4 soon after when Angelo Mathews also walked having added just two runs from 44 balls.

De Silva slowed New Zealand's momentum in a partnership of 126 alongside Dinesh Chandimal in the first session, which ended when Tickner had Chandimal caught on 62 just before lunch.

De Silva maintained the resistance after the break by pairing up with Madushka, but their dismissals for no runs either side of tea left Sri Lanka still 98 runs short.

Kasun Rajitha took Sri Lanka past 350 runs with a four, a lucky edge that went past Michael Bracewell in the slips.

Bracewell made no mistake the second time with a diving catch to claim Lahiru Kumara's wicket off Southee.

Asitha Fernando survived a review after the ball clipped his trousers rather than his leg pad, but New Zealand sealed the victory when Rajitha was caught by Williamson, the hosts' top-scorer with a double century in the first innings.

"It's a really disappointing series for us. After doing really well in the first test, we couldn't do anything better here," admitted Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne.

"We couldn't hold our line bowling which cost us and our batters couldn't get a big score, so those are areas we need to work on."

Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

New Zealand maintained their dominance over Sri Lanka in the second test on Sunday, enforcing a follow-on and setting up the likelihood of a series clean sweep with two days to play.

The tourists reached 113 for two in their second innings at stumps on day three but still trailed by 303 runs at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

They need a massive turnaround to avoid defeat after being skittled out for 164 in their first innings in response to the Black Caps' 580 for four declared.

Starting off with a deficit of 416 runs, they showed more fight in their second turn at bat.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne posted his second half-century of the day before being dismissed by counterpart Tim Southee for 51, caught in the deep after fellow-opener Oshada Fernando had been removed cheaply.

Kusal Mendis was at the crease on 50 and Angelo Mathews unbeaten on one off 40 balls, with the pair seeing off the last 11.5 overs in stoic fashion.

Sri Lanka's best hopes of saving the test could rest with the weather.

Rain is forecast for the final day, meaning they could force a stalemate if they can successfully bat through Monday, when cold, blustery conditions are expected and may make life uncomfortable for New Zealand in the field.

The tourists' slim hope of winning to square the two-match series was effectively ended by a slew of rash shots which derailed their first innings.

The tail succumbed rapidly during a chaotic second session, with the last six wickets tumbling for 50 runs in the space of 15.1 overs despite the wicket playing relatively true.

Only three batters reached double figures in the first innings, including Karunaratne, who was the ninth man out for 89.

The gritty opener had looked to be digging the visitors out of a deep hole when he and Dinesh Chandimal put on 80 for the fifth wicket after the loss of two wickets in the day's opening half-hour reduced them to 34 for four.

However, Chandimal was stumped for 34 off Michael Bracewell after charging down the track soon after tea, sparking the slump.

Offspinner Bracewell then removed Dhananjaya de Silva in his next over and later dismissed Karunaratne when he hit out, to finish with 3-50.

'NICE SURPRISE'

Playing his eighth test, Bracewell was surprised at the drift and turn he could generate on a third-day track, with New Zealand pitches renowned for offering little assistance for slower bowlers.

"To take three wickets in the first innings is a nice surprise and to have it happen on day three is pretty exciting for a spinner," he said.

"But we've still got a big job. The two guys at the crease are obviously very experienced and have scored a lot of test runs."

Victory would complete a memorable week for allrounder Bracewell, who signed up to a maiden Indian Premier League contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore as a replacement for injured Englishman Will Jacks.

"It's one of those things that's a little bit strange happening in the middle of a game," he said.

"So I haven't afforded myself too much time to get too excited because obviously there's a big game in front of me but I'm excited for getting over there."

Bracewell said he supported the decision by Black Caps captain Southee to enforce the follow-on, with the home side's bowling attack still fresh when Sri Lanka padded up for a second time.

New Zealand are chasing their third test victory in a row, following their dramatic two-wicket defeat of Sri Lanka in the first test at Christchurch, which was sealed on the final ball.

Report Day 1
Report Day 2

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

Aggressive double centuries for Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls powered New Zealand's dominance in the second test against Sri Lanka in Wellington on Saturday.

The Black Caps declared their first innings at an imposing 580-4 before reducing Sri Lanka to 26-2 at stumps on day two, leaving the tourists with a very slim prospect of squaring the two-match series.

The in-form Williamson scored 215 and Nicholls posted a career-best 200 not out, with the pair's third-wicket stand of 363 virtually batting Sri Lanka out of the contest.

Their partnership was the fifth-highest by any New Zealand pair and they became the country's first batters to reach 200 in the same innings.

Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne will resume on 16 on Sunday and nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya remains on four, with the deficit a daunting 554 runs.

Sri Lanka's bowlers struggled to generate life on a flat Basin Reserve pitch, forcing Karunaratne to set defensive fields during much of the mammoth partnership.

Williamson and Nicholls batted at a lively clip from the outset, advancing quickly from a 155-2 overnight score and barely looking troubled as they unleashed an array of attacking strokes through the first two sessions.

Williamson was impenetrable as he reached three figures for the third time in successive tests, becoming the first New Zealander to pass 8 000 runs in the process.

It was a sixth double-century for the 32-year-old – whose unbeaten 121 was pivotal in a final-ball first test in Christchurch earlier this week.

Having resumed on 26, Williamson struck 23 fours and two sixes before holing out in the deep offspinner Jayasuriya as he tried to escalate the scoring rate.

Nicholls marched on from his overnight 18 to reach three figures before pushing past his previous best score of 174.

His aggressive 240-ball knock, which featured four sixes, represented a remarkable return to form for the left-hander, whose place in the team was under pressure after failing to reach 40 in his 15 previous innings.

Nicholls survived a clear chance on 92 when Jayasuriya dropped a relatively simple drive hit straight back to him.

Daryl Mitchell (17) and Tom Blundell (17 not out) scored quickly as Nicholls raced to 200 before captain Tim Southee declared.

Kasun Rajitha, who was off the field for a period nursing a shoulder injury, lodged the best bowling figures of 2-126.

Sri Lanka's batting response lurched through 17 overs.

Matt Henry removed opener Oshada Fernando for six before fellow-seamer Doug Bracewell dismissed Kusal Mendis without scoring via a spectacular catch at point from Devon Conway.

It came from Bracewell's third ball of the match in what is his first test appearance for more than six years.

Report Day 1

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

Devon Conway's blistering 78 helped hosts New Zealand race to 155 for two against Sri Lanka at the end of a rain-delayed opening day of the second test on Friday in Wellington.

Conway fell short of a hundred as he was caught and bowled by Dhananjaya de Silva, who dived low to his right to get both hands on a superb catch, to end a thrilling 108-ball knock.

First-test hero Kane Williamson was unbeaten on 26 alongside Henry Nicholls on 18 when bad light stopped play at the Basin Reserve after Sri Lanka won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat in blustery conditions.

"I was gutted to get out when I did, I had put in all the hard work," Conway said.

"Those are the ones you want to kick on and make the most of it on day one... We just have to focus on tomorrow now."

New Zealand started strong, with Conway and Tom Latham putting on an opening partnership of 87, after the 2,500th Test match in cricket history was hit by a damp start.

Heavy overnight rain delayed the toss until after lunch.

Latham fell for 21 around the halfway point of the day's curtailed proceedings when he spooned a Kasun Rajitha delivery to deep square, into the hands of Prabath Jayasuriya.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne opted to give his bowlers an early opportunity to use a green wicket to attack the New Zealand batters.

Conway responded by smashing 13 fours in a fiery knock.

Sri Lanka made one change from the team that lost the first test on the final ball in Christchurch, with wicketkeeper Nishan Madushka making his debut in place of Niroshan Dickwella.

New Zealand were forced into a single switch with seamer Doug Bracewell playing his first Test since 2016, replacing Neil Wagner, who tore a hamstring in the first test.

It is the first time Bracewell has played a test match alongside his cousin Michael.

New Zealand are chasing a third straight test win.

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

Former Sri Lanka skipper Angelo Mathews will return to the team after a two-year hiatus after selectors named him on Friday to its squad for the one-day series against New Zealand.

Mathews, 35, played his last ODI against West Indies in March 2021 where he scored just five runs.

Auckland hosts the first of three 50-over matches on 25 March, followed by a three-match Twenty20 series starting on 2 April in the same city.

Wicketkeeper Kusal Perera, 32, was recalled to the T20 squad for the first time in 16 months, after his last appearance in the format against West Indies in November 2021.

Sri Lanka and New Zealand began their second and final test in Wellington on Friday in a series led by the hosts 1-0.

ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana.

T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Lasith Croospulle, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan.

Rain delayed the start of the opening day of the second test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Wellington on Friday.

Showers and high winds were forecast at the Basin Reserve, but organisers hope the weather improves so play can start in the afternoon.

New Zealand lead the two-test series 1-0 after Kane Williamson steered the hosts to a thrilling two-wicket win in Christchurch.

That first test defeat scuppered Sri Lanka's chances of making the World Test Championship final, handing the spot to India, who will face Australia.

Veteran seamer Neil Wagner is adamant he will be back in test whites for New Zealand once he shrugs off a serious hamstring strain sustained against Sri Lanka.

The South Africa-born Wagner, who turned 37 on Monday as New Zealand won a cliffhanger in the first test against Sri Lanka, has also been hampered with a bulging disc in his back through the home summer.

The hamstring has ruled him out of the second test starting in Wellington on Friday and could sideline him for up to 10 weeks, though the silver lining is that he can avoid surgery.

Following Sri Lanka, New Zealand's next test is not until an away series against Bangladesh in November, leaving Wagner time to weigh his future as well as recover.

Retirement, however, is the last thing on the fiery fast bowler's mind.

"People might make their predictions and stuff like that and I’ve made a career out of proving people wrong. It’s definitely not the end of me," Wagner told New Zealand media.

"A lot of people said it could be the end of me after my first test. I think the day I call it quits is the day I call it quits probably, or when they don’t pick me again."

Wagner has also played with joint inflammation in his foot for most of a decade while still managing to play 63 tests and take 258 wickets for the Black Caps.

He said the hamstring problem suffered over the weekend when bowling in Christchurch may have been due to other parts of his body "overcompensating trying to carry a load".

Wagner bows out of the home summer having made key contributions in both of New Zealand's dramatic wins over England and Sri Lanka.

He took England's final wicket in Wellington to secure a one-run win that tied the series at 1-1.

On Monday, he ran a bye on his injured leg with Kane Williamson on the final ball to ensure a two-wicket win over Sri Lanka.

Paceman Doug Bracewell, who played his last test in 2016 against South Africa, has been called into New Zealand's squad for the second test as a possible replacement for Wagner.

Tom Latham will captain New Zealand in one-day internationals against Sri Lanka with a host of Black Caps stars released to their Indian Premier League clubs.

Latham will be skipper for the whiteball matches at Auckland's Eden Park on March 25, Christchurch three days later and Hamilton on March 31.

Kane Williamson (Gujarat Titans), Tim Southee (Kolkata Knight Riders), Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner (both Chennai Super Kings) are not available, New Zealand Cricket said.

The quartet will join their Indian franchises after the second test against Sri Lanka, which starts in Wellington on Friday.

Williamson steered New Zealand to a thrilling last-ball win over Sri Lanka in the first test on Monday on a rain-disrupted final day in Christchurch.

With a host of stars absent, Black Caps coach Gary Stead has added South African-born batter Chad Bowes and seamer Ben Lister to the ODI squad.

Lister made his Twenty20 debut in India last month while this is the first time Bowes has been selected for the Black Caps.

New Zealand will host Sri Lanka in three Twenty20 matches following the ODI series.

SQUAD: Tom Latham (c), Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young

Kane Williamson was hailed as "world class" after New Zealand's record test run-scorer orchestrated a dramatic last-ball win over Sri Lanka on a rain-disrupted final day in Christchurch on Monday.

The thrilling triumph at the Hagley Oval scuppered Sri Lanka's chances of making the World Test Championship final, handing the spot to India.

In a helter-skelter finish, the only Sri Lankans not guarding the boundary for most of the closing 10 overs were the bowler and wicketkeeper as New Zealand chased down their target of 285.

Having lost eight wickets and on a day limited to 53 overs, skipper Tim Southee paid tribute to his star batsman Williamson.

The former captain finished 121 not out and ran a bye off the final delivery of the match in a remarkable conclusion, to go with New Zealand's one-run victory over England a fortnight ago.

"Seeing how calm he is out in the middle keeps us calm as well," Southee said as New Zealand celebrated another famous, nail-biting win.

"The guys were very trusting in what he was going to do and alongside Daryl (Mitchell) for most of the day it was a great partnership that got us in that great position.

"He's a world-class player and world-class players are able to perform in different conditions."

Visiting captain Dimuth Karunaratne said that fielding errors let his side down, particularly dropping the talisman Williamson on 33.

"We had a good chance to win, unfortunately we are the losing side," he said.

"We had misfields a few times that cost us the game. We have to minimise those mistakes."

'DIFFERENT STORY'

When rain wiped out the first two sessions on the fifth day, the umpires ruled there would be a minimum of 53 overs played in the evening, which meant New Zealand would have to average 4.85 an over.

After a steady but slow start which saw the hosts at 90-3, Williamson and Mitchell picked up the pace.

They put on 142 in 26 overs for the fourth wicket with the precision of a one-day partnership as Sri Lanka paid a heavy price for Niroshan Dickwella dropping Williamson.

"If we had grabbed that catch it would have been a different story," said skipper Karunaratne.

The 31-year-old Mitchell, a late arrival on the international stage, contributed 81 to lift his average to a phenomenal 59.04 from 26 innings.

In a match of see-sawing fortunes, Sri Lanka had the upper hand on the opening two days before a first-innings century from Mitchell and a swashbuckling 72 from Matt Henry – the last 60 from only 35 deliveries – swung the game in New Zealand's favour.

Sri Lanka fought their way back into contention on the fourth day with a defiant 115 from Angelo Mathews, who built partnerships of 105 for the fifth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal and then 60 with Dhananjaya de Silva.

FINAL-DAY KNIFE EDGE

When the Sri Lanka second innings folded at 302 it left New Zealand needing 285 to win on a ground where the highest fourth-innings score was 256-8 by New Zealand in a 2018 draw against England.

Devon Conway was removed for five, leaving the outcome on a knife edge going into the final day.

When play resumed on Monday, Prabath Jayasuriya made early in-roads with the wickets of Tom Latham for 25 and Henry Nicholls for 20.

Asitha Fernando bowled Mitchell and Tom Blundell (three) and had Michael Bracewell caught for 10 to leave New Zealand 266-6 and needing a further 19 runs with 16 balls left.

Williamson kept going to take the game to the final ball as Southee (one) and Matt Henry (four) came and went, with Neil Wagner not out nought.

For Sri Lanka, Fernando took 3-63 and Jayasuriya 2-92.

The second test starts in Wellington on Friday.

Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3
Report Day 4

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

Rain delayed the start of the final day of the first test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Christchurch on Monday.

The match is evenly poised with New Zealand resuming on 28 for one and chasing a target of 285.

Sri Lanka need to win in order to keep alive their hopes of making the World Test Championship final.

However, rain is forecast to continue into Monday afternoon, restricting chances of a result.

The highest fourth-innings score at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch is 256 for eight by New Zealand in a 2018 draw against England.

Report Day 1
Report Day 2
Report Day 3
Report Day 4

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

New Zealand will go into the final day of the first test against Sri Lanka needing 257 runs for victory with nine wickets in hand after a 14th century from Angelo Matthews dragged the tourists right back into the contest at Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Matthews scored a defiant 115 and shared partnerships of 105 with Dinesh Chandimal (42) and 60 with Dhananjaya de Silva (47 not out) to help extend Sri Lanka's lead from 65 runs overnight to 284 when they were dismissed for 302.

A Daryl Mitchell century and stiff resistance from the tail rescued the first New Zealand innings, but they will need the top order to lay a decent platform if they are to take the lead in the two-match series.

They were 28 for one at stumps with Tom Latham unbeaten on 11 alongside Kane Williamson, who will resume on seven as the Black Caps go for a win that would end Sri Lanka's hopes of playing in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June.

New Zealand's highest previous successful fourth innings run chase also came in Christchurch in 1994, when they scored 324-5 to beat Pakistan by five wickets at the Lancaster Park ground destroyed in the 2011 earthquake.

Opener Devon Conway's departure for five, chipping the ball straight back to Kasun Rajitha, will not help them match that feat, but Latham and Williamson came through a few nervous moments to safely reach the close of play.

Set for a thrilling finish tomorrow!

Can Sri Lanka keep their #WTC23 hopes alive with a win? Or will New Zealand hold firm at Hagley Oval?

Watch the #NZvSL series live with a Black Caps Pass on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v ?? pic.twitter.com/evwIcOYlaN

— ICC (@ICC) March 12, 2023

Mathews earlier showed admirable control throughout his 235-ball innings, punishing bad balls with 11 boundaries but largely happy to occupy the crease and build partnerships.

Prabath Jayasuriya added only four runs to his overnight tally before departing, caught behind, for six, but Chandimal stuck around until Tim Southee bowled him through the gate with the new ball after lunch.

That was the only wicket to fall in the second session but once Mathews edged a Matt Henry delivery behind, the Sri Lanka tail folded fairly quickly.

Blair Tickner (4-100) had the best figures of a bowling attack missing Neil Wagner, who sustained a back injury bowling on day three and has been sidelined for at least six weeks.

Henry soldiered on despite having three stitches on the webbing between his thumb and index finger on his bowling hand on Saturday. He cleverly using his left hand to tip a Williamson throw onto the stumps and run out Lahiru Kumara.

Seamer Doug Bracewell will join the squad for the second test after recovering from a groin strain.

Sri Lanka will qualify for the WTC final if they can sweep New Zealand in this series and Australia can deny India victory in the fourth test in Ahmedabad.

Report Day 1

Report Day 2
Report Day 3

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

A stubborn century from Daryl Mitchell, a blazing 72 from Matt Henry and three wickets to Blair Tickner swung the momentum New Zealand's way in the first test against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Sri Lanka had claimed the initiative on the first two days of the Christchurch test but were 83 for three in their second innings at stumps on day three, a lead of 65 runs.

Angelo Mathews was not out 20, with Prabath Jayasuriya also at the crease on two.

New Zealand had recovered from 151 for five to be all out for 373, an 18-run lead, after a dogged 102 from Mitchell. Henry's swashbuckling performance included 58 runs from boundaries.

Tickner claimed the wickets of captain Dimuth Karunaratne for 17, Oshada Fernando for 28 and Kusal Mendis for 14 in the 38 overs before stumps to finish with three wickets for 28 runs off 10 overs.

Sri Lanka, who need to sweep the two-test series to keep their hopes of making the World Test Championship final alive, had ripped through the New Zealand top order.

But Mitchell, who has so often been New Zealand's saviour in his 17-test career, refused to give in as he toiled through 193 deliveries for his eighth century.

The 31-year-old right-hander, son of former All Blacks player and coach John Mitchell, lifted his average to a remarkable 58 from 25 innings.

He put on 54 for the sixth wicket with Michael Bracewell, a further 47 with Tim Southee and 55 with Henry.

Mitchell leapt in the air when he reached his century, waved his bat and received a hug from Henry to celebrate. He added only two more runs before was caught behind off Lahiru Kumara and New Zealand were 291-8.

Henry then exploded with his personal-best 72, which included 10 fours and three sixes.

He belted spinner Dhananjaya de Silva out of the attack by taking 17 runs in just one over.

Worse was to come for Sri Lanka when de Silva's replacement Kasun Rajitha conceded 24 to Henry in his first over.

This was on a third-day wicket that continued to offer assistance to the bowlers, with Rajitha and Asitha Fernando both getting movement early in the day.

Leading up to the drinks break, Bracewell, who had seemed the more settled of the New Zealand overnight pair, was undone by the introduction of left-arm spinner Jayasuriya.

Bracewell had a life when an appeal for lbw was turned down, with reviews showing height was an issue, but with the next delivery Jayasuriya found an edge and Bracewell was caught behind for 25.

Southee brought up New Zealand's 200, belting Jayasuriya over the mid-wicket fence, and continued to swing until the third over with the new ball when he was out to a diving catch by Kumara at square leg.

The New Zealand captain had smashed back-to-back fours off Rajitha but his attempt at a third fell short and he was out for 25 off 20 deliveries.

For Sri Lanka, Fernando returned the best figures of four for 85 while Kumara took three for 76.

Of concern for New Zealand was the fitness of Neil Wagner, who left the field in the final session for treatment to a leg injury.

Report Day 1

Report Day 2

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara

Sri Lanka's bowlers ripped through the New Zealand top order, including snaring the key wicket of Kane Williamson, to leave the hosts in trouble at 162-5 after the second day of the first test on Friday.

After posting a competitive 355 on the green Hagley Oval wicket in Christchurch, Sri Lanka gave New Zealand a soft start before gaining momentum.

A productive burst either side of the tea break from Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara claimed Devon Conway, Williamson and Henry Nicholls as New Zealand slumped from 67 without loss to 76-3.

A pin-point Fernando yorker then dismissed opener Tom Latham for 67 before Kasun Rajitha accounted for Tom Blundell for seven.

"We're doing pretty good," an elated Rajitha said at stumps.

"This can happen tomorrow as well. This wicket is helpful for the fast bowlers, that's why we were trying to get wickets before tea.

"It's a good wicket for the batsmen but they can't trust the bounce."

Daryl Mitchell was on 40 at stumps with Michael Bracewell on nine, and although New Zealand were still 193 in arrears, Latham denied they were out of the contest.

"If we can get as close to their score as possible then hopefully we'll be able to put a bit of pressure on them with the ball because as we've seen there's plenty in it for the bowlers," he said

Sri Lanka need to sweep the series to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive.

Their ambition was evident as they celebrated each wicket and every saved single.

Fernando, guilty of straying too often down the legside in his opening spell, came back to trap Conway lbw for 30.

Three overs later, Kumara captured the plum wicket of Williamson for one on the last ball before tea and then accounted for Nicholls for two soon after the resumption.

The Sri Lankans were jubilant with the wicket of Williamson, New Zealand's most prolific run-scorer and the hero of the recent dramatic one-run victory over England.

With the tea break beckoning, he was seduced into attempting an uncharacteristic big cover drive but could not get the ball over Dimuth Karunaratne.

Nicholls, with a question mark over his test future, had only faced six balls when a rash attempt to pull Kumara to the boundary saw him caught at mid-wicket.

Latham persevered to bring up his 27th half-century and looked well set until he was bowled by Fernando.

New Zealand frustrated

Sri Lanka had frustrated New Zealand from the start of the day when they resumed at 305-6 and added another 50 as they stretched the innings for a further 17 overs.

Overnight pair Dhananjaya de Silva and Rajitha clipped 11 off the opening over of the morning before skipper Tim Southee entered the attack and had De Silva caught behind for 46.

When the new ball became due, Matt Henry had Rajitha caught at mid-off for 22 and New Zealand sensed the end was near.

But Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara, while only adding five runs, lasted 38 deliveries for the ninth wicket.

Henry eventually had Jayasuriya caught behind for 13, leaving Kumara (13 not out) and Fernando (10) to add a further 19 runs off 26 deliveries for the final wicket.

For New Zealand, Southee finished with 5-64 and Henry 4-80.

Report Day 1

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Tim Southee (capt), Matt Henry, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner

SRI LANKA: Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Kasun Rajitha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara