Watch Live Cricket Scores

Mar 13, 2023, 14:30 IST

Watch! Twitter reacts as Kane Williamson plays a blinder to help New Zealand win

By Kartikesh Jha
H

Sri Lanka came into the final day of the test match at Christchurch with their fate in their own hands. Sri Lanka needed to win against New Zealand by a 2-0 margin. The win by Australia at Indore had opened the door for Sri Lanka to qualify for the World Test Championships finals.

The story as it happened –

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 302 in their 2nd innings on day 4 of the 1st test at Christchurch. This gave New Zealand a target of 285 to win the game and help India qualify for the World Test Championship finals. New Zealand had ended the day at 27/1 after losing the wicket of Devon Conway for 5.

Final over drama at Christchurch –

Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was in his elements. The 32 year old played an absolute blinder on Monday. At thew start of the last over of the game, New Zealand needed 8 off 6 balls. The first ball was a single, as Williamson slipped and couldn’t go back for a 2nd. it was soon 7 off 5 as Henry got a single to make it 6 off 4.

Kane Williamson keeps his cool

The 3rd ball saw a run out with one run completed to make it 5 off 3. The 4th ball was creamed to the point boundary by Williamson for a four to make it 1off 2 balls. The 5th ball was a bouncer and it was 1 needed off 1 ball. The last ball of the over saw dramatic scenes.

Asitha Fernando bowled a bouncer and Williamson went for a hook shot and missed. The batters went for a single and the wicket keeper threw it to the bowler who hit the stumps. Williamson dived in and as the third umpire saw the replay, he could see Williamson had grounded his bat. There was huge celebration as the Kiwis had won an humdinger.

Williamson and Mitchell turn the match –

The final day began late as 37 overs were lost due to overnight rains. New Zealand were going slow till the time Tom Latham was batting. Jayasuriya got the wicket of Latham for 24 after having played 80 balls.

The turning point of thew game came when Daryl Mitchell and Kane Williamson added 142 runs in 26.1 overs for the 5th wicket. Mitchell took on the Lankan bowlers and scored 81 off 86 balls with 3 fours and 4 sixes in his knock. Williamson was not out on 121 off 194 balls with 11 fours and a six after having batted for 299 minutes.

India qualifies for the finals –

At Ahmedabad, the Indian team formed a huddle just post lunch and shook hands as the news came in. Rohit Sharma and his men were delighted at India reaching the finals of the World Test Championships to play Australia. The match will be played at the Oval starting on 7th June.

Twitter reacts to New Zealand’s win –

Cricket fans took to Twitter to have their say on the amazing win by New Zealand at Christchurch. You can read all the tweets post the game by fans below. 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Advertisement

Around the Web