Sri Lanka and New Zealand rivalry is an enthralling tale of tactical brilliance and heart-stopping performances across Test, ODI and T20I formats. Iconic moments such as New Zealand’s 2023 Galle rout or Sri Lanka’s Queenstown win define this contest, which thrives off contrasts of Kiwi pace versus spin wizardry such as Trent Boult or Kusal Perera. The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline highlights these epic encounters that continue to shape the rich cricketing legacy between the two nations.
| # | Date | Format | Venue | Teams & Scores | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 05 Jan 2025 | ODI | Wellington, NZ | SL 178 all out (43.4 ov); NZ 180/1 (26.2 ov) (The Times of India) | NZ won by 9 wickets |
| 2 | 08 Jan 2025 | ODI | Hamilton, NZ | SL 142 all out (30.2 ov); NZ 255/9 (37 ov) (NDTV Sports) | NZ won by 113 runs |
| 3 | 11 Jan 2025 | ODI | Auckland, NZ | SL 290/8 (50 ov); NZ 150 all out (29.4 ov) (Khel Now) | SL won by 140 runs |
| 4 | 28/30 Dec 2024* | T20I | NZ (various venues) | NZ 172/8; SL 164/8 — NZ won by 8 runs (AiScore) | NZ won by 8 runs |
| 5 | 02 Jan 2025 | T20I | Saxton Oval, Nelson, NZ | SL 218/5 (20 ov); NZ 211/7 (20 ov) (NDTV Sports) | SL won by 7 runs |
Timeline
Sri Lanka, commonly known as Ceylon until 1973, has long been known for its cricket heritage and production of legendary players like Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath who helped pioneer modern spin bowling techniques. As an island nation known as Sri Lanka with a rich cricketing legacy dating back over three millennia – not forgetting their former name of Ceylon – is famed for both batting and spin bowling. As one of the first teams to adopt an aggressive batting approach during one-day internationals and develop modern playing philosophies along the way – not forgetting their spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath who helped pave way for modern spin bowling techniques.
The team wears the colors of its homeland – bright blue for ocean waves and golden yellow to symbolize national unity – while its members represent all corners of Sri Lanka. Their members are expected to uphold the highest levels of professionalism and sportsmanship as representatives of their entire nation. Each year an annual talent identification process identifies over 100 potential cricket players; testing and interviews may follow before final selection is determined by a panel comprised of leading cricketers as well as sporting officials from Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s national cricket team is led by Dasun Shanaka for limited-overs cricket and Dimuth Karunaratne for Test matches. Over time, Sri Lanka has enjoyed tremendous success under both captains, winning several major tournaments thanks to Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara being among their batting lineup. They are also blessed with having some talented spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Lasith Malinga as part of their group of spinners.
Sri Lanka and India met in an exciting 2024 World Cup encounter that left cricket fans buzzing with excitement. India prevailed, winning by 238 runs with brilliant performances by Shreyas Iyer, Angelo Mathews, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin as batsmen; Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Ravichandran Ashwin excelling with the ball.
New Zealand men’s cricket team, commonly referred to as the Black Caps, represents an island nation of roughly 5 million people and boasts a longstanding success history that is revered around the world for its fielding skills and quality batting ability. Ranked second worldwide in T20Is tournaments and having won numerous trophies; their teamwork and discipline stand them in good stead; this team epitomises Kiwi spirit perfectly while being an outstanding representative for their nation.
Origins
Sri Lanka national cricket team has long been considered one of the most successful teams in Test cricket history. Since 1931, they have won 288 Test matches and 151 ODIs and many major international tournaments; their notable successes being winning 1996 World Cup as well as coming second place at 2007 and 2011 World Cups respectively. Furthermore, Sri Lankan teams have produced several great players like Arjuna Ranathunga, Kumar Sangakkara Tillakaratne Dilshan Mahela Jayawardene Rangana Herath to name just a few!
Sri Lanka and New Zealand share an electrifying rivalry, boasting both resilience and flair from each team. Their history is littered with memorable encounters; recent ones saw New Zealand taking an edge in Test series (38-16), but ODI and T20I series remain closely contested – including some highly intense games famous for their tactical battles and controversial DRS moments.
This rivalry is marked by aggressive bowling attacks and quality batting performances, evidenced in the opening match of the 2006-2007 ICC Champions Trophy when Muttiah Muralitharan and Lasith Malinga took key wickets to restrict New Zealand batting. Sri Lanka then made light work of their target, led by captain Mahela Jayawardene’s unbeaten 81 off 77 balls.
Rivalry between Sri Lanka and India has long been an attraction for fans of cricket, drawing massive crowds and producing thrilling matches with passionate fan bases on both sides. Their fans take great pride in being associated with such an historic rivalry and are eagerly awaiting each big match between these nations. Their fans have even created a signature Sinhalese chant used at all matches between these nations that serves as both an appeal to support their own nation as well as paying homage to legendary cricketer Duleep Mendis by calling out “Rattharan, Rattharan”, also used in reference to support their nation and honor him as well as other prominent Sri Lankan figures such as President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Matches
New Zealand and Sri Lanka share an intense rivalry that is one of the most captivating in international cricket, producing game-defining performances which have shaken games to their core and delighted audiences worldwide. Their cricketing styles differ considerably; Sri Lanka stands for spin with flair while New Zealand champions seam with discipline.
Test matches between these teams tend to be tight affairs, with both sides showing off their respective batting and bowling strengths. Sri Lanka’s spinners generally hold an edge against New Zealand’s pace attack when played at home in conditions which favor Sri Lankan tactics – creating nail-biting finishes as part of an intensely competitive contest.
Recent meetings between New Zealand and Sri Lanka have produced high-scoring ODIs and T20Is, featuring potency from New Zealand batting depth and Sri Lanka’s power-hitting. Both teams produced over 400 runs in Queenstown for one of these encounters alone! Trent Boult and Kane Williamson played key roles for New Zealand as they scored five runs with no loss, while Sri Lanka featured Kamindu Mendis and Asitha Fernando among its leading run scorers.
Sri Lanka has emerged from years of decline to once more become an international cricket power, thanks to players like Sanath Jayasuriya, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene. Their team currently ranks eighth worldwide across Test, ODI and T20 cricket and plays its home matches at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
New Zealand national cricket team has an unbeaten history against Sri Lanka dating back to their inaugural international match in 1931. Since then, they have met 155 times in Tests; with New Zealand leading 75-53. Some memorable encounters between these teams included 1994 Colombo Test when an unlikely win by Sanath Jayasuriya led Sri Lanka to win against New Zealand with four ODI wins and one T20I victory since. New Zealand have since managed four wins out of ten matches against Sri Lanka compared with four wins and one T20I victory since.
Results
The New Zealand-Sri Lanka rivalry is one of the greatest, yet least appreciated, contests in international cricket. Over its rich history, this contest has witnessed legendary performances, nail-biting finishes, and major cricketing milestones – not to mention engaging matches featuring both spin and flair, along with seam and discipline from each side – making their matches unpredictable yet fascinating for spectators worldwide. Fans worldwide continue to marvel at this rivalry!
Nilakshika Silva Achieves 50 for Sri Lanka Sophie Devine delivers a slower full toss down leg side and Nilakshika Silva shuffls across and drives it between short midwicket and long on for a boundary, taking her past her tournament-high fifty off 26 deliveries.
Nilakshika Silva took control of Sri Lanka women’s first T20I against New Zealand at Colombo with a rapid-fire 66 to lead them to victory in Colombo, as New Zealand bowlers struggled to contain her aggressive strokeplay and reach her century quickly – one of three milestones she reached on her journey towards one in this tournament.
New Zealand Seize the Tie
Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner will make life difficult for Sri Lanka batsmen as New Zealand have an opportunity to secure this match victory.
Sri Lanka Women will face New Zealand Women for the second ODI of the 2025 World Cup at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on November 3, with the former hoping to gain some revenge after losing to South Africans in their opening ODI matchup.
Sri Lanka-W Are Ahead by 246 Runs
Thanks to an exceptional batting performance by Sri Lanka’s top order, they were able to amass 308 runs during their ODI against New Zealand at Galle. New Zealand were unable to chase this target and were eventually dismissed with 238 runs scored against them by Sri Lanka’s top order.
Sri Lanka-New Zealand series have always produced exciting ODIs over time, and this game should be no different. New Zealand have won both previous ODIs played between these teams and will look to extend that streak against Sri Lankan team that has shown great improvement recently. However, it will be an uphill task.