Sri Lanka clinched a thrilling ODI series victory by defeating New Zealand by 140 runs in the 3rd ODI on January 11, 2025, at Eden Park in Auckland. Sri Lanka posted 290/8 in 50 overs before bowling out New Zealand for just 150 in 29.4 overs.
Pathum Nissanka smashed 66 off 42 balls, while Matt Henry claimed 4/55 for Sri Lanka. The series win marked a significant achievement for Sri Lanka in New Zealand conditions.
Overall Head-to-Head Record (All Formats)
Sri Lanka and New Zealand have faced each other 247 times across all formats since 1982. New Zealand holds the overall advantage with better records in Tests and T20Is. The ODI rivalry remains closely contested with nearly even results.
| Format | Matches Played | New Zealand Wins | Sri Lanka Wins | Draws/Ties/NR |
| Test | 40 | 18 | 11 | 11 draws |
| ODI | 112 | 55 | 51 | 3 ties, 3 NR |
| T20I | 19 | 11 | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 171 | 84 | 70 | 17 |
Latest Match: 3rd ODI (January 11, 2025, Auckland)
Match Summary
Sri Lanka batted first and posted 290/8 in 50 overs. Pathum Nissanka scored 66 off 42 balls with 6 fours and 5 sixes. Kusal Mendis contributed 54 off 48 balls.
Janith Liyanage added 53 runs in the middle order. New Zealand’s chase never gained momentum as they were bowled out for 150 in 29.4 overs.
Sri Lanka Innings – 290/8 (50 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
| Pathum Nissanka | 66 | 42 | 6 | 5 | 157.14 |
| Avishka Fernando | 17 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 51.51 |
| Kusal Mendis | 54 | 48 | 5 | 2 | 112.50 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 46 | 71 | 2 | 3 | 64.78 |
| Charith Asalanka | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Janith Liyanage | 53 | 52 | 3 | 2 | 101.92 |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | 19 | 31 | 0 | 1 | 61.29 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 15 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 166.66 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 11* | 8 | 2 | 0 | 137.50 |
| Total | 290/8 | 300 | – | – | 5.80 |
- Bowling: Matt Henry 4/55, Mitchell Santner 2/55, Nathan Smith 1/62
Nissanka and Fernando gave Sri Lanka a flying start with 69 runs in 11.1 overs. Kusal Mendis rebuilt with Nissanka after the first wicket fell.
The pair added 87 runs for the second wicket. Liyanage’s fifty provided late momentum. Sri Lanka scored 76 runs in the final 10 overs.
New Zealand Innings – 150 (29.4 overs)
New Zealand suffered an early collapse at 21/5 in 6.5 overs. Mark Chapman fought alone with 81 off 81 balls.
He hit 10 fours and 1 six but lacked support. Nathan Smith scored 17 and Matt Henry added 12 late in the innings.
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
| Will Young | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Rachin Ravindra | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mark Chapman | 81 | 81 | 10 | 1 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tom Latham | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Glenn Phillips | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Michael Bracewell | 13 | 20 | 1 | 1 |
| Mitchell Santner | 2 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Nathan Smith | 17 | 29 | 1 | 0 |
| Matt Henry | 12 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 150 | 178 | – | – |
- Bowling: Asitha Fernando 3/26, Maheesh Theekshana 3/35, Eshan Malinga 3/35
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack demolished New Zealand’s top order. Asitha Fernando struck twice in the powerplay.
Theekshana and Malinga shared 6 wickets between them. Chapman reached 50 off 62 balls but couldn’t find partners. The innings ended in 29.4 overs.
ODI Series Result: Sri Lanka Won 2-1
1st ODI: New Zealand Won by 9 Wickets (January 5, 2025)
New Zealand chased down a modest target comfortably. The hosts dominated with bat and ball at Sky Stadium in Wellington. The series started on a positive note for New Zealand.
RELATED ARTICLES
2nd ODI: New Zealand Won by 113 Runs (January 8, 2025)
New Zealand posted 255/9 in 37 overs in a rain-affected match. Sri Lanka collapsed to 142 all out in 30.2 overs. New Zealand leveled the series with a comprehensive victory at Hamilton.
3rd ODI: Sri Lanka Won by 140 Runs (January 11, 2025)
Sri Lanka bounced back brilliantly to win the series decider. Their 140-run margin represented one of their biggest ODI victories against New Zealand. The win sealed a memorable series triumph.
Recent Test Series: September 2024 (Sri Lanka)
1st Test: Sri Lanka Won by 63 Runs (Galle, September 18-23)
Sri Lanka posted 305 in the first innings. Kamindu Mendis scored 114 off 173 balls. William O’Rourke took 5/55 for New Zealand. New Zealand replied with 340. Tom Latham contributed 70. Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 4/136.
Sri Lanka scored 309 in their second innings. New Zealand needed 275 to win but collapsed to 211 all out. Rachin Ravindra top-scored with 92. Jayasuriya took 5 wickets to seal victory.
2nd Test: Sri Lanka Won by Innings and 154 Runs (Galle, September 26-28)
Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 602/5 declared. This was their first 500-plus total against New Zealand. Angelo Mathews scored 88. Kamindu Mendis smashed his second consecutive century with 182.
New Zealand managed only 88 in their first innings. Following on, they scored 360 in the second innings. Sri Lanka won by an innings and 154 runs. The victory gave them a 2-0 series sweep.
Historical Memorable Matches
December 26, 2018: New Zealand’s Biggest Victory
New Zealand demolished Sri Lanka by 423 runs at Christchurch. Tom Latham scored 264 not out, the highest Test score by a New Zealander against Sri Lanka. New Zealand posted 578/5 declared. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 104 and 122. This remains New Zealand’s biggest winning margin against Sri Lanka.
December 26, 2014: Williamson’s Record Partnership
Kane Williamson scored 242 not out at Wellington. He shared a record 365-run partnership with BJ Watling for the sixth wicket. This remains the highest sixth-wicket partnership in Test history. New Zealand declared at 524/5 and won by 193 runs.
December 2006: Sri Lanka’s 217-Run Victory
Sri Lanka crushed New Zealand by 217 runs at Wellington. Muttiah Muralitharan took 10/118 in the match. His devastating spin bowling destroyed New Zealand’s batting lineup. This marked one of Sri Lanka’s most dominant away Test victories.
2003 World Cup Semi-Final: Sri Lanka Advanced
Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup semi-final at Johannesburg. The match was affected by rain, and Sri Lanka advanced based on superior run rate. New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the final ended in heartbreak.
Player Statistics and Records
Leading Test Run-Scorers (SL vs NZ)
- Kumar Sangakkara (SL): 2,089 runs in 20 Tests at average 71.68 with 8 centuries
- Kane Williamson (NZ): 1,412 runs in 13 Tests at average 64.18 with 5 centuries
- Mahela Jayawardene (SL): 1,267 runs in 17 Tests at average 50.68 with 4 centuries
- Brendon McCullum (NZ): 967 runs in 13 Tests at average 40.29 with 1 century
- Tom Latham (NZ): 950+ runs with highest score of 264*
Leading Test Wicket-Takers (SL vs NZ)
- Muttiah Muralitharan (SL): 75 wickets in 16 Tests at average 24.84 with 5 five-wicket hauls
- Rangana Herath (SL): 60 wickets in 11 Tests at average 22.01
- Prabath Jayasuriya (SL): Recent emergence with multiple five-wicket hauls
- Daniel Vettori (NZ): 45 wickets in 14 Tests at average 36.88
- Tim Southee (NZ): 40+ wickets across multiple series
Leading ODI Run-Scorers (SL vs NZ)
- Kumar Sangakkara (SL): 1,500+ runs at average 50+ with multiple centuries
- Stephen Fleming (NZ): 1,200+ runs across 15 years
- Mahela Jayawardene (SL): 1,100+ runs with consistent contributions
- Ross Taylor (NZ): 900+ runs including match-winning knocks
- Kane Williamson (NZ): 800+ runs with high average
Leading ODI Wicket-Takers (SL vs NZ)
- Lasith Malinga (SL): 50+ wickets with multiple four-wicket hauls
- Chaminda Vaas (SL): 45+ wickets across 13 years
- Daniel Vettori (NZ): 38 wickets in 35 matches
- Muttiah Muralitharan (SL): 35+ wickets with economy under 4.00
- Trent Boult (NZ): 30+ wickets in recent years
FAQs
Who has won more matches between Sri Lanka and New Zealand?
New Zealand leads 84-70 across all formats. In Tests, New Zealand dominates 18-11. In ODIs, New Zealand has a slight edge at 55-51. In T20Is, New Zealand leads 11-8.
What is Sri Lanka’s biggest victory against New Zealand?
Sri Lanka’s biggest Test victory is by an innings and 154 runs at Galle in September 2024. Their biggest ODI win is by 140 runs at Auckland in January 2025.
Who is the leading run-scorer in SL vs NZ Tests?
Kumar Sangakkara leads with 2,089 runs in 20 Tests at an average of 71.68. He scored 8 centuries including multiple double hundreds against New Zealand.
How many wickets does Muttiah Muralitharan have against New Zealand?
Muralitharan took 75 Test wickets against New Zealand in 16 matches at an average of 24.84. He has 5 five-wicket hauls including a match-winning 10/118 at Wellington in 2006.
When did Kane Williamson score his highest Test score?
Williamson scored 242 not out against Sri Lanka at Wellington in December 2014. He shared a world-record 365-run partnership with BJ Watling for the sixth wicket.
Wrapping Up
Sri Lanka’s January 2025 ODI series victory highlighted their competitive spirit in New Zealand. New Zealand leads the overall rivalry 84-70 across 171 matches.
Kumar Sangakkara’s 2,089 Test runs and Muttiah Muralitharan’s 75 Test wickets stand as legendary records.
The 2024 Galle Tests showcased Sri Lanka’s spin dominance, while Williamson’s 242 not out remains an iconic innings.
RELATED ARTICLES
