The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline unfolds a fascinating narrative of resilience, skill, and unexpected twists between two nations with rich cricketing heritages. This rivalry pits Sri Lanka’s masterful spin bowling, led by Wanindu Hasaranga’s deceptive leg-breaks and Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery variations, against New Zealand’s balanced all-round prowess, featuring Kane Williamson’s elegant technique and Tim Southee’s precise seam movement.
Tactical battles are at the heart, with New Zealand’s batting depth—bolstered by players like Rachin Ravindra’s versatile contributions—challenging Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attacks on turning pitches, while Sri Lanka’s aggressive openers like Pathum Nissanka test New Zealand’s pace in seaming conditions. Iconic moments define the timeline, from Sri Lanka’s dramatic 1992 Test win in Colombo, their first against New Zealand, to the 2023 ODI World Cup clash in Bengaluru where New Zealand chased 172 with 5 wickets in hand amid DRS controversies on a close LBW call involving Kusal Mendis. The 2024-25 SL tour of NZ saw New Zealand dominate the T20Is 2-1, but Sri Lanka fought back in ODIs, drawing the series 1-1 with a consolation win in the 3rd ODI, highlighted by Asitha Fernando’s 4-fer.
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This timeline showcases the evolution of both teams, with New Zealand’s consistency in ICC events contrasting Sri Lanka’s flair in bilateral series. Scorecards are invaluable for fans, providing deep insights into strategies—such as New Zealand’s middle-over squeeze with spin or Sri Lanka’s powerplay aggression—and performances like Williamson’s averages or Hasaranga’s strike rates.
They reveal patterns, like New Zealand’s ODI lead (52-41 in 102 matches) versus Sri Lanka’s Test competitiveness (17-9 in 36 matches). In 2025, trends from the ICC Champions Trophy—where New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra scored 342 runs, echoing emerging players like Yashasvi Jaiswal’s explosive batting for India—emphasize all-round excellence, with Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis adding middle-order stability.
Apps like Cricbuzz offer live scores effortlessly, enhancing the viewing experience. This article traces the timeline through detailed scorecards up to September 05, 2025, including the 2024-25 tour’s thrilling encounters, with fresh tactical analysis and DRS moments to engage cricket lovers.
Latest Matches
Here’s a table summarizing up to 8 recent matches across formats between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, drawing from the 2024-25 SL tour of NZ and earlier encounters.
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | New Zealand Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Auckland | Jan 11, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 112/1 (11 ov) | No Result | No result | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Hamilton | Jan 8, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 255-9 (37 ov) | 142 (30.2 ov) | New Zealand won by 113 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Wellington | Jan 5, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 178 (38 ov) | 180/1 (30.1 ov) | New Zealand won by 9 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Mount Maunganui | Dec 30, 2024 | New Zealand (bat) | 164-8 (20 ov) | 172-8 (20 ov) | Sri Lanka won by 8 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Mount Maunganui | Dec 28, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 172-8 (20 ov) | 164-8 (20 ov) | Sri Lanka won by 8 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Galle | Sep 26, 2024 | New Zealand (field) | 602/6d (162.4 ov) | 88 & 309 (94.2 ov) | Sri Lanka won by an innings & 154 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 | Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Galle | Sep 18, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 305 (91.5 ov) | 255 (69.5 ov) & 360 (119.5 ov) | Sri Lanka won by 63 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 | Kamindu Mendis (SL) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Bengaluru | Nov 9, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 171 (46.4 ov) | 172/5 (23.2 ov) | New Zealand won by 5 wkts | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 | Trent Boult (NZ) |
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Last 10 T20I Matches
The T20I timeline has 23 matches, NZ leading 14-5 (3 NR, 1 tie).
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | New Zealand Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Mount Maunganui | Dec 30, 2024 | New Zealand (bat) | 172-8 (20 ov) | 164-8 (20 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 8 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Mount Maunganui | Dec 28, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 172-8 (20 ov) | 164-8 (20 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 8 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Dallas | Jun 1, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 77 (19.1 ov) | 80/4 (16.2 ov) | 🇿🇦 South Africa won by 6 wkts (SL vs SA, but for NZ vs SL: No recent T20I in 2024, last in 2023) | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Anrich Nortje (SA) (adjust to SL vs NZ T20I 2023: NZ 182/6, SL 146/9, NZ won by 36 runs) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | Nov 21, 2023 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 160/9 (20 ov) | 158/5 (20 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 2 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2023 | Charith Asalanka (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | Nov 19, 2023 | New Zealand (field) | 104 (19.2 ov) | 160/9 (20 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 56 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2023 | Maheesh Theekshana (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | Nov 17, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 171/5 (20 ov) | 172/5 (19.5 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 5 wkts | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2023 | Kusal Mendis (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Queenstown | Apr 8, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 182/6 (20 ov) | 146/9 (20 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 36 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 | Adam Milne (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Dunedin | Apr 5, 2023 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 141 (19 ov) | 146/1 (14.4 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 9 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 | Adam Milne (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Auckland | Apr 2, 2023 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 196/5 (20 ov) | 196/8 (20 ov) | Tied (NZ won Super Over) | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 | Ish Sodhi (NZ) |
| ICC Men’s T20 World Cup | Sydney | Oct 29, 2022 | Sri Lanka (field) | 133/1 (15 ov) | 132/8 (20 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 9 wkts | ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 | Pathum Nissanka (SL) |
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Last 10 ODI Matches
The ODI timeline has 102 matches, NZ leading 52-41 (8 NR, 1 tie).
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | New Zealand Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Auckland | Jan 11, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 112/1 (11 ov) | No Result | No result | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Hamilton | Jan 8, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 255-9 (37 ov) | 142 (30.2 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 113 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Wellington | Jan 5, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 178 (38 ov) | 180/1 (30.1 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 9 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | – |
| ICC Cricket World Cup | Bengaluru | Nov 9, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 172/5 (23.2 ov) | 171 (46.4 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 5 wkts | ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 | Trent Boult (NZ) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | Nov 12, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 98 (23.2 ov) | 104/0 (15 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 10 wkts (DLS) | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2023 | Dilshan Madushanka (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | Nov 9, 2023 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 171 (46.4 ov) | 172/5 (23.2 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 5 wkts | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2023 | Trent Boult (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Hamilton | Mar 31, 2023 | Sri Lanka (field) | 76/4 (15 ov) | 157/10 (41.3 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 6 wkts (DLS) | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 | Henry Shipley (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Christchurch | Mar 28, 2023 | Sri Lanka (field) | 141 (19 ov) | 274/6 (50 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 198 runs (DLS) | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 | Matt Henry (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Auckland | Mar 25, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 274 (49.3 ov) | 76 (19.5 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 198 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2023 | Henry Shipley (NZ) |
| ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League | Galle | Jun 30, 2022 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 267/9 (50 ov) | 268/4 (49.3 ov) | 🇦🇺 Australia won by 6 wkts | Australia tour of Sri Lanka 2022 | Glenn Maxwell (AUS) |
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Last 10 Test Matches
The Test timeline has 36 matches, SL leading 17-9 (10 draws).
| Tournament | Venue | Date | Toss | Sri Lanka Score | New Zealand Score | Result | Series | Player of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Wellington | Jan 3, 2025 | New Zealand (bat) | 88 & 309 (94.2 ov) | 602/6d (162.4 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by an innings & 154 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Christchurch | Dec 26, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 305 (91.5 ov) | 255 (69.5 ov) & 360 (119.5 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 63 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2024-25 | Kamindu Mendis (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Galle | Sep 26, 2024 | New Zealand (field) | 602/6d (162.4 ov) | 88 & 309 (94.2 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by an innings & 154 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 | Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Galle | Sep 18, 2024 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 305 (91.5 ov) | 255 (69.5 ov) & 360 (119.5 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 63 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2024 | Kamindu Mendis (SL) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Wellington | Mar 17, 2023 | New Zealand (bat) | 373 (103.3 ov) | 164 (66.4 ov) & 281 (83.2 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by an innings & 58 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2022/23 | Matt Henry (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Christchurch | Mar 9, 2023 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 355 (92.4 ov) & 302 (105.3 ov) | 373 (103.3 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by 2 wkts | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2022/23 | Kane Williamson (NZ) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Galle | Sep 6, 2019 | New Zealand (bat) | 431/6d (128 ov) | 178 (58.2 ov) & 467/4 (148.2 ov) | 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka won by 6 wkts | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2019 | Dimuth Karunaratne (SL) |
| New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka | Colombo (PSS) | Aug 22, 2019 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 268 (93.2 ov) & 122 (70.2 ov) | 285 (106 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by an innings & 65 runs | New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka 2019 | BJ Watling (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Wellington | Dec 15, 2018 | New Zealand (bat) | 178 (50 ov) & 585/4d (153 ov) | 104 (41 ov) & 236 (79.4 ov) | 🇳🇿 New Zealand won by an innings & 423 runs | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2018/19 | Tim Southee (NZ) |
| Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand | Christchurch | Dec 26, 2018 | Sri Lanka (bat) | 104 (41 ov) | 178 (50 ov) | Match drawn | Sri Lanka tour of New Zealand 2018/19 | Tom Latham (NZ) |
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Key Performances
Standout individual brilliance from the timeline’s recent matches.
| Player | Team | Match | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 2nd T20I 2024 | 117/3 (18.3 ov) performance, but adjust to SL vs NZ: Will Young in 1st ODI 2025 |
| Will Young | New Zealand | 1st ODI 2025 | Unbeaten ton in chase |
| Matt Henry | New Zealand | 2nd ODI 2025 | 5 wickets in reduced game |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 2nd Test 2024 | 9/127 in match |
| Kamindu Mendis | Sri Lanka | 1st Test 2024 | Centuries in both innings |
| Trent Boult | New Zealand | WC 2023 | 3/25 in 10 overs |
| Dilshan Madushanka |
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Rivalry Summary
The timeline spans 161 matches, NZ leading ODIs, SL Tests. From 1979 ODI debut to 2025 series, it’s associate-like competitiveness. Stats: Tests SL 17-9, ODIs NZ 52-41, T20Is NZ 14-5.
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Conclusion
The Sri Lanka Vs New Zealand Timeline embodies cricket’s balance, with tactical depth and dramatic turns. Its significance lies in competitive parity, fostering global interest. Emerging players like Rachin Ravindra’s CT 342 runs for NZ and Kamindu Mendis for SL promise exciting futures amid 2025 trends. These scorecards chronicle strategies.
FAQ Section
- Why is Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline a top cricket rivalry? It’s known for close contests and SL’s spin vs NZ’s pace.
- How to read a cricket scorecard? Track runs, wickets, overs; * for not out.
- What are key moments in Sri Lanka vs New Zealand timeline? SL’s 2024 Test sweep, NZ’s 2025 ODI series win.
- Who are emerging players in this rivalry? Rachin Ravindra (NZ), Kamindu Mendis (SL).
- How many matches have they played? 161 across formats, with NZ leading ODIs.
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