The New Zealand National Cricket Team, known as the Black Caps, and the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team, the Lankan Lions, share a riveting rivalry that spans decades, marked by intense battles and unforgettable moments. Since their first Test in 1983, New Zealand’s disciplined batting and versatile all-rounders have clashed with Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack and resilient top order. Iconic performances, like Muttiah Muralitharan’s wizardry or Kane Williamson’s composed centuries, have defined this contest.
The 2025 season, including Sri Lanka’s Test dominance in Galle and thrilling T20I encounters, has reignited the rivalry. Scorecards are a fan’s lens into the game, revealing tactical gems—think Prabath Jayasuriya’s spin mastery versus Rachin Ravindra’s grit. Apps like ESPNcricinfo keep fans immersed with live updates, amplifying every boundary and wicket. This article explores the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka timeline, delivering detailed scorecards, key performances, and Hindi summaries, celebrating a rivalry that continues to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
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Latest Matches Between New Zealand and Sri Lanka
Recent encounters between New Zealand and Sri Lanka have been a mix of spin-dominated Tests and high-scoring limited-overs thrillers. Below is a table summarizing the latest matches across formats, sourced from ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Sri Lanka Score 🇱🇰 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Test Series |
Galle |
26 Sep 2024 |
NZ |
88 & 360 |
602/5d |
SL won by innings & 154 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024 |
Kamindu Mendis |
|
Test Series |
Galle |
18 Sep 2024 |
SL |
340 & 211 | 305 & 309 |
SL won by 63 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024 |
Prabath Jayasuriya |
|
ODI Series |
Pallekele |
11 Jan 2025 |
NZ |
150 (32.5) | 290/8 (50) |
SL won by 140 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Kusal Perera |
|
ODI Series |
Pallekele |
8 Jan 2025 |
SL |
255/9 (50) | 142 (41.2) |
NZ won by 113 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Kane Williamson |
|
ODI Series |
Pallekele |
5 Jan 2025 |
NZ |
180/1 (22.4) | 178 (43.1) |
NZ won by 9 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Devon Conway |
|
T20I Series |
Nelson |
2 Jan 2025 |
NZ |
211/7 (20) | 218/5 (20) |
SL won by 7 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Kusal Perera |
|
T20I Series |
Mount Maunganui |
30 Dec 2024 |
SL |
149 (19.5) | 151/4 (17.4) |
SL won by 6 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Charith Asalanka |
|
T20I Series |
Mount Maunganui |
28 Dec 2024 |
NZ |
174/7 (20) | 170/8 (20) |
NZ won by 4 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Tim Robinson |
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Last 10 Test Matches
Test matches between New Zealand and Sri Lanka are a battle of endurance, with Sri Lanka’s spinners thriving in Galle and New Zealand’s pace attack shining at home.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Sri Lanka Score 🇱🇰 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Test Series |
Galle |
26 Sep 2024 |
NZ |
88 & 360 |
602/5d |
SL won by innings & 154 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024 |
Kamindu Mendis |
|
Test Series |
Galle |
18 Sep 2024 |
SL |
340 & 211 | 305 & 309 |
SL won by 63 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024 |
Prabath Jayasuriya |
|
Test Series |
Wellington |
17 Mar 2023 |
SL |
164 & 113 |
355 & 303/2d |
NZ won by innings & 58 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2023 |
Henry Nicholls |
|
Test Series |
Christchurch |
9 Mar 2023 |
SL |
302 & 285 | 373 & 215/2 |
NZ won by 2 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2023 |
Daryl Mitchell |
|
Test Series |
Colombo (PSS) |
22 Aug 2019 |
SL |
244 & 122 | 267 & 104/3 |
NZ won by innings & 65 runs |
NZ tour of SL 2019 |
BJ Watling |
|
Test Series |
Galle |
14 Aug 2019 |
NZ |
249 & 285 | 267 & 268/4 |
SL won by 6 wickets |
NZ tour of SL 2019 |
Dimuth Karunaratne |
|
Test Series |
Christchurch |
26 Dec 2018 |
SL |
104 & 236 |
178 & 585/4d |
NZ won by 423 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2018 |
Tom Latham |
|
Test Series |
Wellington |
15 Dec 2018 |
SL |
282 & 287/3 | 578 |
Draw |
SL tour of NZ 2018 |
– |
|
Test Series |
Hamilton |
18 Dec 2015 |
SL |
292 & 133 | 429 & 189/5 |
NZ won by 5 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2015 |
Martin Guptill |
|
Test Series |
Dunedin |
10 Dec 2015 |
SL |
431 & 171/3 | 294 & 267 |
NZ won by 122 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2015 |
Kane Williamson |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
ODI clashes between these teams are known for high scores and dramatic chases, with New Zealand’s batting depth meeting Sri Lanka’s dynamic middle order.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Sri Lanka Score 🇱🇰 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ODI Series |
Pallekele |
11 Jan 2025 |
NZ |
150 (32.5) | 290/8 (50) |
SL won by 140 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Kusal Perera |
|
ODI Series |
Pallekele |
8 Jan 2025 |
SL |
255/9 (50) | 142 (41.2) |
NZ won by 113 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Kane Williamson |
|
ODI Series |
Pallekele |
5 Jan 2025 |
NZ |
180/1 (22.4) | 178 (43.1) |
NZ won by 9 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Devon Conway |
|
ODI Series |
Colombo (RPS) |
19 Nov 2024 |
NZ |
112/1 (7.1) | – |
No result |
NZ tour of SL 2024 |
– |
|
ODI Series |
Colombo (RPS) |
17 Nov 2024 |
NZ |
209 (49.4) | 210/7 (37.2) |
SL won by 3 wickets (DLS) |
NZ tour of SL 2024 |
Kusal Mendis |
|
ODI Series |
Colombo (RPS) |
13 Nov 2024 |
NZ |
175/9 (38) | 324/5 (50) |
SL won by 45 runs (DLS) |
NZ tour of SL 2024 |
Pathum Nissanka |
|
World Cup |
Bengaluru |
9 Nov 2023 |
NZ |
172/5 (23.2) | 171 (46.4) |
NZ won by 5 wickets |
World Cup 2023 |
Trent Boult |
|
ODI Series |
Auckland |
28 Mar 2023 |
SL |
76/5 (19) | – |
No result |
SL tour of NZ 2023 |
– |
|
ODI Series |
Wellington |
25 Mar 2023 |
NZ |
274 (49.3) | 76 (19.5) |
NZ won by 198 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2023 |
Matt Henry |
|
ODI Series |
Christchurch |
25 Mar 2023 |
SL |
157 (41.3) | 159/4 (32.5) |
NZ won by 6 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2023 |
Will Young |
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Last 10 T20I Matches
T20I encounters are fast-paced, with New Zealand’s power-hitting meeting Sri Lanka’s versatile bowling.
|
Tournament |
Venue |
Date |
Toss |
New Zealand Score 🇳🇿 |
Sri Lanka Score 🇱🇰 |
Result |
Series |
Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
T20I Series |
Nelson |
2 Jan 2025 |
NZ |
211/7 (20) | 218/5 (20) |
SL won by 7 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Kusal Perera |
|
T20I Series |
Mount Maunganui |
30 Dec 2024 |
SL |
149 (19.5) | 151/4 (17.4) |
SL won by 6 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Charith Asalanka |
|
T20I Series |
Mount Maunganui |
28 Dec 2024 |
NZ |
174/7 (20) | 170/8 (20) |
NZ won by 4 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2024-25 |
Tim Robinson |
|
T20I Series |
Pallekele |
14 Nov 2019 |
NZ |
165/7 (20) | 171/7 (20) |
SL won by 4 wickets |
NZ tour of SL 2019 |
Kusal Perera |
|
T20I Series |
Pallekele |
6 Sep 2019 |
SL |
125/8 (20) | 88 (16) |
NZ won by 37 runs |
NZ tour of SL 2019 |
Tim Southee |
|
T20I Series |
Pallekele |
3 Sep 2019 |
SL |
161/9 (20) | 174/4 (20) |
NZ won by 13 runs |
NZ tour of SL 2019 |
Ross Taylor |
|
T20I Series |
Pallekele |
1 Sep 2019 |
SL |
174/4 (20) | 175/7 (19.3) |
SL won by 3 wickets |
NZ tour of SL 2019 |
Lasith Malinga |
|
T20I Series |
Auckland |
11 Jan 2019 |
SL |
144 (20) | 179/7 (20) |
NZ won by 35 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2019 |
Doug Bracewell |
|
T20I Series |
Nelson |
8 Jan 2016 |
SL |
142/8 (20) | 147/7 (20) |
NZ won by 3 wickets |
SL tour of NZ 2016 |
Martin Guptill |
|
T20I Series |
Mount Maunganui |
7 Jan 2016 |
SL |
171/5 (20) | 182/4 (20) |
NZ won by 11 runs |
SL tour of NZ 2016 |
Colin Munro |
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Key Performances
Standout performances have shaped this rivalry, with players delivering under pressure.
|
Player |
Team |
Match |
Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kusal Perera |
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 |
T20I, Nelson 2025 |
100 off 52 balls |
|
Prabath Jayasuriya |
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 |
Test, Galle 2024 |
5/68 & 9 wickets in match |
|
Kamindu Mendis |
Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 |
Test, Galle 2024 |
182* off 250 balls |
|
Rachin Ravindra |
New Zealand 🇳🇿 |
Test, Galle 2024 |
92 off 168 balls |
|
Devon Conway |
New Zealand 🇳🇿 |
ODI, Pallekele 2025 |
92* off 63 balls |
|
Trent Boult |
New Zealand 🇳🇿 |
World Cup, Bengaluru 2023 |
3/37 in 10 overs |
|
Shardul Thakur |
Kolkata Knight Riders 🇮🇳 |
IPL 2023, Kolkata |
68 off 29 balls & 1/19 |
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Rivalry Summary
The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka rivalry, spanning 38 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 24 T20Is, is a tale of contrasting strengths. New Zealand leads Tests 18-9, with 11 draws, showcasing their batting depth against Sri Lanka’s spin prowess in Galle. In ODIs, New Zealand holds a 54-44 edge, with 9 no-results and 1 tie, marked by high-scoring thrillers. T20Is are closely contested, with Sri Lanka’s recent wins in 2025 tilting the balance. Moments like Muralitharan’s 2006 heroics or Williamson’s 2015 Dunedin ton define this contest. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy saw no direct clash, but Sri Lanka’s semi-final run contrasted New Zealand’s early exit, adding spice to their bilateral series. Emerging stars like Ravindra and Mendis ensure this rivalry’s future burns bright.
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Conclusion
The New Zealand vs Sri Lanka rivalry is a cricketing epic, blending spin wizardry, pace attacks, and clutch performances. From Jayasuriya’s Galle heroics to Conway’s ODI dominance, each match is a narrative of skill and grit. The 2025 season, with Sri Lanka’s Test sweep and T20I thrillers, has elevated this contest. Scorecards unpack these battles, revealing strategies like Narine’s spin or Boult’s swing. Share your favorite moment in the comments or track live scores on apps like Cricbuzz. With talents like Ravindra and Mendis emerging, this rivalry promises more unforgettable clashes!
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FAQs
Why is the New Zealand vs Sri Lanka rivalry a top cricket rivalry?
Since 1983, New Zealand’s 18-9 Test lead and 54-44 ODI edge, coupled with moments like Muralitharan’s spin magic and Williamson’s centuries, make this a fiercely competitive rivalry.
How to read a cricket scorecard?
A scorecard shows runs, wickets, overs, and extras. For example, “290/8 (50)” means 290 runs for 8 wickets in 50 overs. ESPNcricinfo offers detailed guides.
Who are the key players in this rivalry?
New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera and Prabath Jayasuriya, consistently deliver match-defining performances.
What was the most thrilling match in 2025?
The Nelson T20I saw Kusal Perera’s 100 power Sri Lanka to a 7-run win, with New Zealand falling just short at 211/7.
How did the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy impact this rivalry?
Though they didn’t face off, Sri Lanka’s semi-final run versus New Zealand’s early exit heightened anticipation for their 2025 bilateral series.
