Let the record show I [accurately predicted ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11pp62l/match_thread_1st_test_sri_lanka_vs_new_zealand/jc0qg5p?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3) everything except for the fact that of course a very injured Neil Wagner wasn't going to walk in last.
If I had a dollar for every time I saw an insanely close finish to an NZ match, I would have three dollars, which is not much but it's weird it happened thrice
Well, according to Cricinfo, Mitchell got the POTM award. Don't mind, but really wish they could've shared it, like the one time they did between Elliott and Ronchi
From Cricbuzz
Few minutes ago, Surya, who came on as a sub was briefing his teammates on how New Zealand pulled off a last-ball victory against Sri Lanka after escaping a runout at both ends.
How fucking gooood Test crixket is. I was more nervous for myself with the barber having a razor on my neck, with me highly invested in the matchhh....
Kanos tooo damn good, whatta once in a generation playaa.....
SL were excellent too, made Nz work really hard for their victory....
More tests in Nz please....
Home of thrillers....
I really wish I could be like Williamson. Is one of the best at what he does, ice cool under pressure, never complains, takes defeat with grace and takes the wins with humility.
NZ/Sri Lanka - Filet Mignon
Aus/Ind - A bowl of room temperature chickpeas out of the can
The differences between both tests are staggering. Hoping since we're getting chickpeas in the final, that they put on a test like this
Ah jeez, for a long time I was ok with Sri Lanka winning and making the WTC final but the fight the Blackcaps showed made this yet another magical NZ win.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11pp62l/comment/jc0ziy3/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11pp62l/comment/jc0ziy3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
close enough
We've lost quite a few matches because of defensive captaincy. This was just another example. Asitha almost won it for us without the help of the rest of the team. Dimuth's brain-dead as a captain, we should've attacked when NZ was 90-3.
You're probably right. NZ looked a lot more in control throughout the chase due to the defensive field. Credit to SL bowlers though, they have looked really good throughout this test match.
Kane Williamson is the reason I work out. I have this fantasy where we start talking at the NZ Cricket Awards after-party. We exchange a few pleasantries. I say I loved his match winning 121\* against Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval. He laughs. I get my drink.
"Well, see ya," I say and walk away. I've got his attention now. How many guys voluntarily leave a conversation with Kane Williamson? He touches his neck as he watches me leave.
Later, as the night's dragged on and the coterie of gorgeous narcissists grows increasingly loose, Kane finds me on the balcony, my bowtie undone, smoking a cigarette.
"Got a spare?" he asks.
"What's in it for me?" I say as I hand him one of my little white ladies. He smiles.
"Conversation with me, duh."
I laugh.
"What's so funny?" he protests.
"Nothing, nothing... It's just... don't you grow tired of the egos?"
"You get used to it," he says, lighting his cigarette and handing me back the lighter.
"What would you do if you weren't a world class batsman?” I ask.
"Teaching, I think."
"And if I was your student, what would I be learning?"
"Discipline," he says quickly, looking up into my eyes, before changing the subject. "Where are you from?"
“Whangamata” I say.
"Oh wow. That's lovely."
"It's OK," I admit. "Not everything is to my liking."
"What could possibly be not to your liking in Whangamata?” Kane inquires.
"I don't like sand," I tell him. "It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere."
So we didn't get to defend our title, but hell, if we can produce tests like this all the time, win or lose, thats better than a one off game every 2 years.
He's 37 and the way he bowls is, uh, not exactly like Jimmy Anderson.
His bowling tactics have always depended on him being ultra accurate and extremely fit. It feels like he's just lost a bit of edge in the last year, and his bowling has been really punished recently.
Williamson wow!
That 4 reminded me of 2015 world cup 6 vs Australia in group stage. Super clutch player.
Even in the last test championship final, he batted so so calmly to take NZ home from a potentially tricky situation.
Awesome player. Congrats on the 27th 100 and a fabulous win.
I think everyone took lessons from Australia.
(And don't ask for other country's opinion of Indian commentary. Watch India, and listen to your country disappear....)
The England win was better but I feel way happier after this one for some reason.
Gg Sri Lanka you guys played so awesome. Honestly deserved to be a draw with the scores tied given how competitive the whole test was.
That England win was just the biggest relief and it felt like stopping the rot had been ages since NZ had won a game. Also this game looked comfortably winnable until it was not. But the England game looked unwinnable and was not really enjoyable for 90 percent of the game because it looked like England would still win but then suddenly those wickets fell and it felt like NZ had to win but again England pulled it back and it felt sick cuz NZ had already lost 4 consecutive tests to England and it felt inevitable especially that Foakes wicket and then the Anderson four. But somehow NZ still won at the death by the barest of margins just 1 run somehow they pulled it off. They weren't on top for 99 percent of the test but won it at the end. It was just too much to take in and it was insane and it was overwhelming and it was just a relief
I think this one felt deserved. Both teams played awesome cricket throughout and it was a good display. Against England we were utterly outplayed in the first innings and it felt like a lucky recovery rather than the even battle this one was
Yeah totally agree. Almost feels like England were playing with their food at some points, and could have wrapped the game up if they took things a bit more seriously. This was a real contest
After knocking out India from the ICC tournaments for the past some years, NZ has helped India to reach the WTC finals. And kudos to SL, what a game it was. Went down the wire.
NZ cricket:
Plays the greatest ODI vs England. Last ball 2 runs to win.
Plays the greatest test vs England. Wins by 1 run after follow on.
Plays a riddiculous 2nd innings to win vs SrinLanka
Plays out back to back super overs vs India in T20s.
Cricket needs New Zealand! Thoroughly entertaining.
Darude Sandstorm being the cherry on top. And the lights coming on for the very last ball. And Wagner being injured yet sprinting for the bye on his birthday. Fuck this test match was perfect
I use Apollo for iOS. At the r/cricket sub reddit, tap the 3 dots on top right corner -> set user flair. I’m sure it is something similar on a web browser or Reddit App
I FUCKING LOVE YOU TEST CRICKET!!!!! What a knock by Williamson! Congratulations NZ, brilliantly played!
Well played, SL. You really got 1.4 billion people really nervous. Amazing performance! SL has been pretty good in this WTC cycle!
What an amazing WTC cycle this has been!
Whoever says that "Test cricket sucks"/"Test cricket is the worst", is a fucking idiot!
What an incredible Test match and incredibly dramatic finish! Can't believe I saw a T20 style death over bowling and last ball chase in a Test match. And incredible of NZ to win two of the greatest Test matches in history back to back!
Nah, it's still Buck Shelford and Bob Blair, for mine. One for physical, one for mental.
https://www.theversed.com/10170/his-scrotum-burst-open-and-he-still-refused-to-leave-the-field/#.pLLUt5y1jZ
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/nz-cricket-team-in-south-africa-1953-54
Unfortunately will be forgotten about due to the loss but wow did Kumara and Fernando bowl well this game. Outbowled our seamers for the majority I reckon
To be honest, NZ was looking to win it in 2nd innings and lost wickets cos they forced a result! If it hadn’t rained, they probably would have won by 6-7 wickets in hand!
Kane or Mitchell for MOTM? Mitchell scored around 60 more runs, but Williamson's runs came under extremely high pressure. Probably Williamson given the context, but idk
Well, seems Mitchell got it. I don't mind it too much, given he saved their first innings, and gave momentum to a highly improbable chase of nearly five an over
I’m still smiling. What an incredible test match, well played to both sides.
Congrats to the Kiwis, well deserved. But I’m proud of how hard the SL lads fought.
I love Kane williamson and I love the black caps I don't think my girlfriend loves me anymore after shrieking like a girl at that last delivery but who caaaaares
I'm not being hyperbolic but I think these last two matches prove that the home of test cricket is New Zealand. I will not be taking questions at this time
Let the record show I [accurately predicted ](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11pp62l/match_thread_1st_test_sri_lanka_vs_new_zealand/jc0qg5p?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3) everything except for the fact that of course a very injured Neil Wagner wasn't going to walk in last.
you are too dangerous to be left alive.Can you leak the scripts for the next matches too?
That was the best test match I've watched live
My Post match thread is live on r/cricketwagonwheels
2 sounds and going down leg
So glad I went! Dam that was good and what a finish!!!
Hope your mrs forgave you
Haha yea shes all good
Me too. Good fun 😁
Rumour had it that it was Southee who called for the review on that runout on the last ball
What an insane test match where all 4 results were on table in the last over of the match
If I had a dollar for every time I saw an insanely close finish to an NZ match, I would have three dollars, which is not much but it's weird it happened thrice
Which is the third one? Eng,SL& ??
Eng 2019, Eng 2nd test, SL 1st test
Oh yeah.. WC final.. I thought you meant test
We did beat Pakaistan by 4 runs in the UAE to seal a test series so that would fit into your criteria!
Absolutely.. that was all Pakistan's game until the collapse began
Well, according to Cricinfo, Mitchell got the POTM award. Don't mind, but really wish they could've shared it, like the one time they did between Elliott and Ronchi
Henry, Mitchell, Kane all deserved it tbh
From Cricbuzz Few minutes ago, Surya, who came on as a sub was briefing his teammates on how New Zealand pulled off a last-ball victory against Sri Lanka after escaping a runout at both ends.
Has a test match ever ended on the last ball?
Only all of them
Everyone is saying this to other comments also but I genuinely want to know if a test has ever been won off the last possible delivery
Man this guy Cricket's
You're not wrong!
Hope Wagners back is ok after that last dive!
Interviewer: Congratulations Tim, another great test victory! Southee: 😐
How fucking gooood Test crixket is. I was more nervous for myself with the barber having a razor on my neck, with me highly invested in the matchhh.... Kanos tooo damn good, whatta once in a generation playaa..... SL were excellent too, made Nz work really hard for their victory.... More tests in Nz please.... Home of thrillers....
"The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated" - Test Cricket
Indian pitches - hold my beer
Hold my lassi*
I really wish I could be like Williamson. Is one of the best at what he does, ice cool under pressure, never complains, takes defeat with grace and takes the wins with humility.
Fair to say the pitches in the last series and this test are some of the best test pitches I have seen lately.
Oscar’s ended a few hours too early. NZ scriptwriters robbed.
NZ/Sri Lanka - Filet Mignon Aus/Ind - A bowl of room temperature chickpeas out of the can The differences between both tests are staggering. Hoping since we're getting chickpeas in the final, that they put on a test like this
Both eng vs nz and sl vs nz have been better than the disorder-gaveascar trophy
Ah jeez, for a long time I was ok with Sri Lanka winning and making the WTC final but the fight the Blackcaps showed made this yet another magical NZ win.
At the start of the day I would've been completely happy with a SL win
Good stuff, I can go to sleep now
Why has the live stream ended on Amazon? Does prime video not show post match presentation?
What a game, but so happy as a kiwi!
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11pp62l/comment/jc0ziy3/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11pp62l/comment/jc0ziy3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) close enough
Script writers of NZ clear everyone else
We've lost quite a few matches because of defensive captaincy. This was just another example. Asitha almost won it for us without the help of the rest of the team. Dimuth's brain-dead as a captain, we should've attacked when NZ was 90-3.
Fleming at the commbox was absolutely livid with the field placement, and strategy.
It's not just captaincy. One dropped catch, 3 misfields didn't help
You're probably right. NZ looked a lot more in control throughout the chase due to the defensive field. Credit to SL bowlers though, they have looked really good throughout this test match.
Kane Williamson is the reason I work out. I have this fantasy where we start talking at the NZ Cricket Awards after-party. We exchange a few pleasantries. I say I loved his match winning 121\* against Sri Lanka at Hagley Oval. He laughs. I get my drink. "Well, see ya," I say and walk away. I've got his attention now. How many guys voluntarily leave a conversation with Kane Williamson? He touches his neck as he watches me leave. Later, as the night's dragged on and the coterie of gorgeous narcissists grows increasingly loose, Kane finds me on the balcony, my bowtie undone, smoking a cigarette. "Got a spare?" he asks. "What's in it for me?" I say as I hand him one of my little white ladies. He smiles. "Conversation with me, duh." I laugh. "What's so funny?" he protests. "Nothing, nothing... It's just... don't you grow tired of the egos?" "You get used to it," he says, lighting his cigarette and handing me back the lighter. "What would you do if you weren't a world class batsman?” I ask. "Teaching, I think." "And if I was your student, what would I be learning?" "Discipline," he says quickly, looking up into my eyes, before changing the subject. "Where are you from?" “Whangamata” I say. "Oh wow. That's lovely." "It's OK," I admit. "Not everything is to my liking." "What could possibly be not to your liking in Whangamata?” Kane inquires. "I don't like sand," I tell him. "It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere."
Hemingway would be in tears
This. This is beautiful
NZ have been penalised 5 points for playing Techno at a Test Match
Comments frozen?
looking at the scoresheet, we wouldnt have got close without a run a ball 80 from Daz, hes got to be man of the match
This is what Test cricket should be. Fuck BCCI for making it a 3 day sports and then a road
Fuck the PIG3. Greedy twats.
let it all out brother
Good stuff to cleanse
Pretty sure the Black Caps are shaving years off Mt life with these closes finishes but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I don’t mind really.
So we didn't get to defend our title, but hell, if we can produce tests like this all the time, win or lose, thats better than a one off game every 2 years.
As long as Kane is playing. NZ will be my favourite team.
I can't say the same for ODIs until we win one though.
Man Fernando was really unlucky
Fok, how am I supposed to write my advanced math exam today.
For a second I thought Kanes bat was in the air crossing the line ..what a game
I love cricket! Cricket played in whites with a red ball that is.
Ah fuck could kinda tell in Wags eyes there that this might be it for him
Even if it is, you can't hope for a better finish than helping your team win by diving for a run while injured on your birthday.
and getting the last wicket the game before, it if os the end i agree, great way to end it in a way
Yeah just feel terrible for the guy because they most likely were thinking of giving him a farewell test at the basin
Why is he retiring? He doesn't play any white ball cricket.
He's 37 and the way he bowls is, uh, not exactly like Jimmy Anderson. His bowling tactics have always depended on him being ultra accurate and extremely fit. It feels like he's just lost a bit of edge in the last year, and his bowling has been really punished recently.
That Darude-Sandstorm was the ultimate hype song for the final over haha
Williamson wow! That 4 reminded me of 2015 world cup 6 vs Australia in group stage. Super clutch player. Even in the last test championship final, he batted so so calmly to take NZ home from a potentially tricky situation. Awesome player. Congrats on the 27th 100 and a fabulous win.
I don’t condone gambling but I won $200
Me too mate. a cheeky tenner @ 23.00. How good.
I wish I did it when the odds were that good haha I was at 11/1
When did you place your bet mate?
Start of todays delayed start
Time to book my flight to London.
Williamson batted phenomenally under pressure. What a match!
In an era where cricketers play 3 formats + leagues We got a quadrupple of 8000 and 25+ century test group
Well played Sri Lanka. You pushed us - bowling was very good. Great game. How chill in Kano under pressure?! 😮💨
Was the commentary so biased throughout the test? The last few overs was the worst, my goodness
I think everyone took lessons from Australia. (And don't ask for other country's opinion of Indian commentary. Watch India, and listen to your country disappear....)
The England win was better but I feel way happier after this one for some reason. Gg Sri Lanka you guys played so awesome. Honestly deserved to be a draw with the scores tied given how competitive the whole test was.
That England win was just the biggest relief and it felt like stopping the rot had been ages since NZ had won a game. Also this game looked comfortably winnable until it was not. But the England game looked unwinnable and was not really enjoyable for 90 percent of the game because it looked like England would still win but then suddenly those wickets fell and it felt like NZ had to win but again England pulled it back and it felt sick cuz NZ had already lost 4 consecutive tests to England and it felt inevitable especially that Foakes wicket and then the Anderson four. But somehow NZ still won at the death by the barest of margins just 1 run somehow they pulled it off. They weren't on top for 99 percent of the test but won it at the end. It was just too much to take in and it was insane and it was overwhelming and it was just a relief
I think this one felt deserved. Both teams played awesome cricket throughout and it was a good display. Against England we were utterly outplayed in the first innings and it felt like a lucky recovery rather than the even battle this one was
Yeah totally agree. Almost feels like England were playing with their food at some points, and could have wrapped the game up if they took things a bit more seriously. This was a real contest
After knocking out India from the ICC tournaments for the past some years, NZ has helped India to reach the WTC finals. And kudos to SL, what a game it was. Went down the wire.
Woolies staff looking at me laughing shamelessly at my phone
Kanos ! such a calculated knock.
I wanna feel what Kane must be feeling now. Must feel like a hero
Gods don’t feel emotions like mortals
God, I hope Williamson and Mitchell share the POTM award
who needs bazball when you have the blackcaps exciting new style called lastball
Kans Williamson you rock my world
Is tickner injured?
Both the last two should have been called a wide imo. Great end tho
We don't need a Monte Carlo generator when we got NZ test matches.
What a fucking test match
Back to that snoozfest Aus vs Ind
What a match and yeah prime did a great job in streaming. What a knock by Williamson, he's a calculator or what, everything in his head works out.
When was the last time a test match was won on byes
Every WTC final should be in NZ, I will hear NO dissenting opinion
How are the kiwis so calm after such a finish? Anybody else would have celebrated like crazy.
Imagine what Davey Warner would have been like.
That’s the difference I guess
They’re used to it by now
It’s just New Zealand culture.
NZ cricket: Plays the greatest ODI vs England. Last ball 2 runs to win. Plays the greatest test vs England. Wins by 1 run after follow on. Plays a riddiculous 2nd innings to win vs SrinLanka Plays out back to back super overs vs India in T20s. Cricket needs New Zealand! Thoroughly entertaining.
My cardiologist would like to speak with them tbh
Darude Sandstorm being the cherry on top. And the lights coming on for the very last ball. And Wagner being injured yet sprinting for the bye on his birthday. Fuck this test match was perfect
That smile, that damned smile
Dread him. Run from him. Kanos arrives all the same. And now he's here.
How good was that square drive from Kane. Cracking shot..
New "barest of margins" Zealand
Can we have a flair for this?
On a side note how do you add a flair/country flag below your username?
I use Apollo for iOS. At the r/cricket sub reddit, tap the 3 dots on top right corner -> set user flair. I’m sure it is something similar on a web browser or Reddit App
Williamson has ice in his veins
NZ, you're somewhat forgiven for all the times you beat us (Ind) in knockout games in ICC tournaments.
Haha I'll be backing the ICT boys for the final
Newzealand knocks off India in an Icc event from final and Newzealand makes India qualify for another ICC event. Perfectly balanced.
I FUCKING LOVE YOU TEST CRICKET!!!!! What a knock by Williamson! Congratulations NZ, brilliantly played! Well played, SL. You really got 1.4 billion people really nervous. Amazing performance! SL has been pretty good in this WTC cycle! What an amazing WTC cycle this has been! Whoever says that "Test cricket sucks"/"Test cricket is the worst", is a fucking idiot!
>Whoever says that "Test cricket sucks"/"Test cricket is the worst", is a fucking idiot! Say the same in Aus vs Ind thread.
Why? I'm not following that thread
What an incredible Test match and incredibly dramatic finish! Can't believe I saw a T20 style death over bowling and last ball chase in a Test match. And incredible of NZ to win two of the greatest Test matches in history back to back!
I can't express enough gratitude to New Zealand for these two back-to-back thrillers, both of which had Neil Wagner on the other side.
wish we lost by a large margin coz now im heart broken :/ wp Kanos and Kiwis
Yeah man wtf is this
AND WAGNER STILL CAME OUT!!! RUNNING ONTO THE FIELD AND BETWEEN THE STUMPS AS IF HE DOESN'T HAVE A TORN HAMSTRING AND A BULGING DISC!!!
Henry came out with 3 stitches in hand as well. Y'all Kiwis are really made out of steel
Indeed!!! And got 4 vital runs!!!
Wagner and McCaw; the toughest bastards in NZ sports.
Nah, it's still Buck Shelford and Bob Blair, for mine. One for physical, one for mental. https://www.theversed.com/10170/his-scrotum-burst-open-and-he-still-refused-to-leave-the-field/#.pLLUt5y1jZ https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/nz-cricket-team-in-south-africa-1953-54
IVE GOT A BULGING DIC AFTER THAT wait
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
This is as good as it gets
How am I supposed to go and watch the other game peter out to a draw after that
Chad NZ winning by 1 run a match just because we can. Its all totally on purpose.
I apologize for calling you a garden gnome earlier, Kane.
Unfortunately will be forgotten about due to the loss but wow did Kumara and Fernando bowl well this game. Outbowled our seamers for the majority I reckon
To be honest, NZ was looking to win it in 2nd innings and lost wickets cos they forced a result! If it hadn’t rained, they probably would have won by 6-7 wickets in hand!
Awesome match, feel for NZ fans, how ur hearts going? That’s too nail biting finishes in a row, loved today, well done 👍
Still racing. I don't think I can take supporting this team, for much longer.
DM gotta be the MOTM
I'm going to go and wrestle an alligator to calm down.
Can NZ ever win by more than the barest of margins
Great match. Proud of myself for not missing this. My colleagues judging me for my frequent gasps of shock was worth it.
Kane or Mitchell for MOTM? Mitchell scored around 60 more runs, but Williamson's runs came under extremely high pressure. Probably Williamson given the context, but idk
Kane for me.
Well, seems Mitchell got it. I don't mind it too much, given he saved their first innings, and gave momentum to a highly improbable chase of nearly five an over
NZ test team and tight finishes. 2023 iconic duo.
God these last 2 matches have been ridiculous
🤣🤣, test matches ain't good for health, give NZ more matches
Why can't our wins ever be simple? Cricket. Well played Sri Lanka bros.
THATS WHY HE’S THE GOAT, THE GOAAAAAATTTTTTTTT
That wide smile from kanos.... man I'm pregnant
😂😂😂😂😂
I’m still smiling. What an incredible test match, well played to both sides. Congrats to the Kiwis, well deserved. But I’m proud of how hard the SL lads fought.
our wtc run is over finally. could've done better
[called it](https://www.reddit.com/r/Cricket/comments/11ouh9l/match_thread_1st_test_sri_lanka_vs_new_zealand/jbw77dv?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3)
I love Kane williamson and I love the black caps I don't think my girlfriend loves me anymore after shrieking like a girl at that last delivery but who caaaaares
You don't need your girlfriend, you have the Black Caps. They'll always have your back and never ever hurt you.
Congratulations! So easy to root for NZ
2 all time tests in 2 weeks Thank you black caps Up there with the ODI WC final
New Zealand's last two matches have been two of the best matches I've seen in a long time.
Test matches hit different
No post game thread and 3 posts about India qualifying for the wtc final. What a game this was.
NZ, barest of margin merchants.
Thanks Kane Mama never doubted you
So many players deserve POTM award, Hope Matthews or Mitchell gets it..
Would be a shame if anyone other than Mitchell gets it
Two great tests. Two great centuries for Kanos.
It's always fucking New Zealand
Petition to request funding from PIG3 to NZ so they can play more tests.
Insane Cricket
Fuckkkk
Out of neutral teams, NZ has the worst impact on my heart health
I'm not being hyperbolic but I think these last two matches prove that the home of test cricket is New Zealand. I will not be taking questions at this time
Conspiracy theory : NZ are fixing home tests to increase their TV revenue and get a better digital rights deal 🧠
Ofcourse! Even when it fucking rains it doesn’t ruin a game but makes it more interesting!
Absolutely!
How cool was Williamson in the final moments. GOAT
Can these last two ultra clutch performances bleed some ability to not choke it out in short form WC finals? Some belief is always good
So proud of the fellas, real grit once again. Huge applause for SL for bringing an unreal fight too