In a thrilling conclusion to the Test series in Galle on Sunday, September 29, Sri Lanka clinched a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand. This achievement came as the hosts finished the decider match in just over 10 sessions. Despite their spirited efforts in the second innings, New Zealand found themselves unable to overcome the massive 515-run deficit, which ultimately decided the outcome. Nevertheless, the match wasn’t without its highlights for the visitors, particularly for their skipper Tim Southee.
New Zealand’s second innings saw commendable performances from Devon Conway, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner, all of whom managed to score half-centuries. Despite these efforts, the enormous target remained insurmountable, and they were eventually bowled out for 360 while following on. This performance slid New Zealand down to the seventh position on the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, keeping them as the sole team yet to secure an away Test series win in the history of WTC.
One noteworthy moment came during the brief but impactful innings from New Zealand captain Tim Southee. Although he managed to score only 10 runs, his 10-ball stint included a boundary and a six. The six brought about a significant personal milestone; it was his 89th career six in Test cricket, pushing him past West Indies legend Brian Lara on the all-time list for the most maximums in Test cricket.
Here are the updated standings for the most sixes hit in the history of Test cricket:
– 131 sixes: Ben Stokes (England) in 105 matches
– 107 sixes: Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) in 101 matches
– 100 sixes: Adam Gilchrist (Australia) in 96 matches
– 98 sixes: Chris Gayle (West Indies) in 103 matches
– 97 sixes: Jacques Kallis (South Africa) in 166 matches
– 91 sixes: Virender Sehwag (India/ICC) in 104 matches
– 89 sixes: Tim Southee (New Zealand) in 102 matches
– 88 sixes: Brian Lara (West Indies) in 131 matches
Southee’s achievement places him in a rarefied category of big hitters in the longest format of the game. With New Zealand set to face India in a three-match Test series next, it is highly likely that Southee could surpass Virender Sehwag’s tally of 91 sixes, inching even closer to other big names on the list.
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As for the match itself, the second innings heroics by New Zealand’s top-order provided a glimmer of hope. Conway and Blundell’s resilience at the crease ensured a temporary relief while Phillips and Santner’s aggressive half-centuries hinted at a potential comeback. However, Sri Lankan bowlers held their nerve to keep the Kiwi threat at bay.
Sri Lanka’s dominance over New Zealand was also a testament to their home advantage. For New Zealand, the series highlighted persistent issues in their away Test performance. Despite being the reigning WTC champions, their lack of success in securing away Test series wins remains a notable gap in their cricketing resume.
As New Zealand prepares for their upcoming challenge against India, they face an uphill battle. The Indian cricket team, formidable at home, has not lost a home Test series in nearly 12 years, presenting a daunting challenge for the Kiwis. This series will test not only their skills but also their mental fortitude, as they aim to break their away series jinx.
In summary, Sri Lanka’s triumph over New Zealand was a blend of disciplined bowling and solid batting. Tim Southee’s record-breaking six provided a silver lining in an otherwise disappointing series for New Zealand. As the cricketing world looks forward to the next set of challenges, the resilience and the milestones achieved in this series will set the tone for the rivals in their forthcoming contests.
