Rare victory for NZ

A year after their dazzling victory in the World Cup, Sri Lanka yesterday sank to a 2-0 Test series loss to New Zealand, who are ranked bottom of the table of Test-playing nations.

Set 326 to win the second Test at Trustbank Park, Hamilton, and already in trouble at 20 for 2 overnight, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 205 with more than a day to spare, with New Zealand's 18-year-old left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori taking five wickets.

For New Zealand it was the first home series win since beating Zimbabwe in 1990 and the first time they had won back-to-back Tests since 1985 against Pakistan.

Vettori spearheaded the victory with 5 for 84, following up his four in the first innings and only a bizarre decision deprived him of a 10-wicket haul in only his fourth Test. He bowled Kumar Dharmasena but the Pakistani umpire, Mahboob Shah, confused by the wicketkeeper Adam Parore taking off the other bail, ruled the batsman not out.

Fourth day; New Zealand won toss

NEW ZEALAND - First Innings 222 (B A Pocock 85).

SRI LANKA - First Innings 170

NEW ZEALAND - Second Innings 273

SRI LANKA - Second Innings

(Overnight: 20 for 2)

R S Mahanama lbw b Doull 65

W P U C J Vaas c Patel b Vettori 8

P A de Silva lbw b Doull 5

*A Ranatunga c Doull b Vettori 33

R S Kaluwitharana lbw b Doull 13

H D P K Dharmasena not out 38

D N Zoysa c Parore b Vettori 13

S C de Silva c Young b Davis 0

M Muralitharan c Cairns b Vettori 7

Extras (b4 lb5 w1) 10

Total 205

Fall (cont): 3-40 4-50 5-129 6-147 7-152 8-185 9-186.

Bowling: Doull 15-4-34-1; Davis 17-4-35-1 (w1); Vettori 29.2-8-84-5; Patel 12-5-34-0; Astle 3-1-9-0.

Umpires: D B Cowie (NZ) and Mahboob Shah (Pak).