NZ vs SL 2nd Test Match Creates History, Becomes 2500th Longest Format Game

NZ vs SL: In this historic Test match, Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Both Sri Lanka and New Zealand are out of the race to play in the WTC 2021-23 final. ( Image Source :AFP )

The second Test match of the New Zealand-Sri Lanka series created history as soon as the two captains walked out for the toss. The match became the 2500th game having an international Test match status. Notably, this is the second and the final Test match of this series and both teams are already out of the race to be in the World Test Championship final for the 2021-23 cycle.

While Sri Lanka were in the race to set up a summit clash with Australia, they needed a 2-0 win in this series. However, it was the Black Caps who registered a thrilling win on the final day of the first Test match with the help of a fine hundred from Kane Williamson which in turn helped India seal a berth in the WTC final.

Only one World Test Championship has been completed so far and it was New Zealand who had won the inaugural cycle by beating India in the final on the previous occasion. This will the Men in Blue's second successive appearance in the titular clash of the WTC and the Rohit Sharma-led side would be hoping for a result in their favour to end their ICC title drought since 2013.

Talking about the 2500th Test, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first in this historic match. At Stumps on Day 1, New Zealand are 155/2 in 48 overs with Henry Nicholls (18) and Williamson (26) out in the middle. The Kiwis have lost both their openers with Tom Latham falling to Kasun Rajitha for 21 and Devon Conway getting out to Dhananjaya de Silva for a well made 78.

Bad light brings an early end to Day 1 in Wellington. Kane Williamson (26*) and @HenryNicholls27 (18*) will resume tomorrow at the @BasinReserve at an earlier start time of 10:30am NZT 🏏 Catch up on the scores | https://t.co/wwArMTmFs6. #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/zjV07ypyjA

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 17, 2023

Sri Lanka tried a total of five bowlers in the opening day but the other three bowlers Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Prabath Jayasuriya went wicketless.