'NZ is on a roll!' - New Zealand pull of dramatic last ball win against Sri Lanka in 1st Test; India qualifies to Test Championship final

Neil Wagner & Kane Williamson (Image credit: Twitter)

Hagley Oval in Christchurch has witnessed one of the craziest Test matches in history as New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka in a thrilling first Test. Kane Williamson, one of the Kiwis' all-time finest batters, pulled off a dramatic win off the last ball to register a historic chase. The 32-year-old smashed his 27th Test century to guide New Zealand to a 2-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a nail-biting finish. The Black Caps took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, dashing Sri Lanka's hopes of playing in the final of the World Test Championship.

Resuming from an overnight score of 28/1, New Zealand began Day 5 needing 257 more to win. Tom Latham lost his partner Devon Conway (5 off 16) the previous day but the opener continued with former New Zealand captain Williamson. Latham started his innings well but couldn't convert it into a big score as spinner Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed him for 25 runs. Williamson lost one more partner in the form of Henry Nicholls (2 off 6) but the former New Zealand captain stitched a 142-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Daryl Mitchell, who scored his eighth Test fifty in the first innings. The latter played an aggressive innings in the second essay as he scored 81 runs off 86 balls which put more pressure on the Lankan bowlers.

Williamson's dive takes India to the WTC final

When it looked like the duo would take New Zealand home, Asitha Fernando took the wickets of Mitchell and Tom Blundell (3 off 5) to give Lanka a huge breakthrough. However, Williamson had other plans and registered his 40th international century while losing his partners at the other end. Kiwis needed 15 runs in the last two overs to win the match. Taking two wickets in that phase, the Lankan bowlers gave the opposition a tough fight as they took the match to the last ball. With one run needed on the final ball, Asitha Fernando held his nerve to deliver the crucial delivery. Williamson missed the hit but ran for a single and completed the run with a deep dive before wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella's throw hit the stumps.

Celebrations started in the New Zealand camp after winning the match by the narrowest of margins. The win also brought smiles to the faces of the Indian players and fans as the Men in Blue now officially qualified for the WTC final after Sri Lanka failed to win against Kiwis. Lanka would have qualified for the marquee event if they had swept the ongoing series and Australia defeated India in the final BGT Test. India will face Australia in the WTC final at London's Oval from June 7. This is India's second consecutive final entry, the previous coming in the inaugural cycle in 2021, where they lost to New Zealand by eight wickets.

What a match🥵

— 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡 (@vishaldhoni7781) March 13, 2023

I watched last 10 overs and i can't believe what I witnessed, on of the bes test match in history of cricket

— 75....... (@VK_254) March 13, 2023

Thriller Suspense Comedy Love Emotions... What a match.... Incredible Monday.... Just amazing... Williamson Take a Bow Man ❤❤🔥🔥🤘🤘

— ColtKshatriya (@KshatriyaColt) March 13, 2023

Williamson dive for India😂😂

— paresh shettigar (@paribhai) March 13, 2023

Williamson helping India for WTC final, Rohit era

— Abhilash (@Abhilas17622660) March 13, 2023

Newzealand is producing some unrealistic matches!

— Shahzeb Khan (@theshahzebkhan) March 13, 2023

Another day another crazy test! NZ is on a roll!

— Vaibhaw (@vaibhaw_t) March 13, 2023

One of the best..
Newzeland played great two test matches in a row

— Human Being (@lovepriit) March 13, 2023