What happened when New Zealand toured Sri Lanka last time for a test series?

Tim Southee-led New Zealand will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match test series in Galle, starting on September 18.

The New Zealand cricket team are on a crucial tour of Asia, which comprises six test matches against three different oppositions.

Their first test of the tour, a one-off match against Afghanistan, was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain in Greater Noida, India.

Next, they will take on Dhananjaya de Silva-led Sri Lankan team in a two-match test series, which is scheduled to get underway on September 18. Both tests will be played at the Galle International Stadium.

After the two-test series in Sri Lanka, Tim Southee’s men will fly to India for a three-match test series against Rohit Sharma’s side, starting on October 16.

The SL vs NZ and IND vs NZ test series are part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. These two series are crucial for New Zealand’s eventual standings in the WTC points table. They are currently third with three wins and three losses, managing a 50% PCT.

The upcoming tour of Sri Lanka is New Zealand’s eighth test tour to the Island Nation since they first toured in 1984. However, the Kiwis have played only one test series in Sri Lanka in the past decade.

Who won the last time New Zealand toured Sri Lanka for a test series?

New Zealand’s previous test series in Sri Lanka was in 2019. The two-match test series ended in a 1-1 draw.

In the first test in Galle, captain Dimuth Karunaratne led Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win with his 122 in the fourth innings of the match while chasing a stiff target of 268. Akila Dananjaya and Ajaz Patel took a five-wicket haul each.

In the second test in Colombo, the visitors bounced back through opener Tom Latham and wicket-keeper BJ Watling’s centuries that helped New Zealand take a 187-run lead in the first innings. The Kiwi bowlers combined to bowl the hosts out for 122 in their second innings and win the match by an innings and 65 runs. BJ Watling was named the Man of the Series.

Overall, out of their eight test series in Sri Lanka, New Zealand have won only one series, all the way back in 1984, which was the first time they played a test series in Sri Lanka.

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