New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka: Winners and Losers from 2nd Test

New Zealand have completed a very impressive 2-0 win in their Test series over Sri Lanka, winning the second game by 193 runs.

It was a strong performance from the Black Caps, who seem to be rounding into form at just the right time for the World Cup, while the visitors will be disappointed with their showing.

Now the game in Wellington is at an end, let’s take a look at those who impressed and those who did not quite do so. 

The biggest winner of all in this game was New Zealand No. 3 Kane Williamson, who scored a mammoth 242 not out in the second innings to help his side build up a big lead.

The right-hander has been in great form since last year, and with his performance in this game, showed how important he is to the Black Caps.

Not only that, he took two brilliant catches to cap a highly impressive all-round performance.

No wonder that captain Brendon McCullum says he may become the best ever New Zealand batsman, per Andrew Fidel Fernando of ESPNcricinfo. 

For Sri Lanka’s premier spinner, Rangana Herath, this was a difficult match in conditions not exactly conducive to spin bowling.

He delivered just two overs in the first innings, then took 1-154 in the second from 56 overs as the Black Caps built themselves a strong position.

Having suffered with some fitness issues in the past, Herath will be desperate to get back onto pitches that help his cause a little more. 

Sri Lanka’s No. 3, Kumar Sangakkara, also enjoyed a strong individual game in spite of his team’s defeat.

In the first innings, he scored 203 to take his side into the lead and made his runs off just 306 balls.

He may have fallen for just five the second time around, but Sangakkara remains crucial to his team’s success. 

Seamer Dhammika Prasad was particularly poor for Sri Lanka in good fast-bowling conditions, as he took just three wickets all game.

In the first innings, he conceded an economy rate of 4.47 runs per over, while in the second he took just 1-102 in 28 frustrating overs.

In such helpful conditions for seam bowling, he will be disappointed with his return. 

As a batsman, New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling is uncompromising and not especially pretty, but his method worked well in the second innings as he made an unbeaten 142.

It was his fourth Test century, and it came as part of a 356-run partnership with Kane Williamson, a New Zealand record for the sixth wicket.

A popular player, Watling continues to step up when the Black Caps need him most. 

Across both sides, on only one occasion did an opening batsman pass 50.

Kaushal Silva made exactly that score before being caught by Mark Craig off Doug Bracewell.

Otherwise, Dimuth Karunaratne, Tom Latham and Hamish Rutherford all made starts and then got out, albeit in testing conditions against a newer ball.

Much more was expected of all four batsmen, and it put their sides at an almost immediate disadvantage.