New Zealand's record fourth in a row
New Zealand celebrate a historic victory Sunday when they needed just 14 balls on day five to demolish Sri Lanka by a colossal 423 runs in the second Test in Christchurch.
"That's quite a cool thing to achieve," skipper Kane Williamson said, reflecting on New Zealand winning a fourth consecutive series for the first time in their 88-year Test history.
"That's wasn't the focus, and if we do reflect on that a little bit, the positives of the different conditions we've experienced, the different opposition all come into the fact we've been able to get across the line and that makes it quite special."
The victory over Sri Lanka, by the biggest ever margin for New Zealand and eighth largest of all time in terms of runs, followed back-to-back series wins against the West Indies, England and Pakistan this year.
Sri Lanka, having been set an improbable 660-run target, resumed the final day at 231 for six and lost their first wicket with the third ball of the morning when Trent Boult bowled Suranga Lakmal for 18.
Neil Wagner removed Dilruwan Perera for 22 before Boult ended the innings with the wicket of Dushmantha Chameera in the third over of the morning.
Angelo Mathews, who retired hurt when on 22 on Saturday, did not resume his innings.
Sri Lanka captain Chandimal blamed his side's "disappointing" efforts from his batsmen in the first innings of both Tests.
"We just have to improve," he said as Sri Lanka prepare for three one-dayers and a Twenty20.
SCORES IN BRIEF
NEW ZEALAND: First innings 178 and second innings 585 for 4 decl.
SRI LANKA: First innings 104 and second innings 236 for 9 (Chandimal 56, Mendis 67, Mathews 22 retired hurt 22, Perera 22; Boult 3-77, Southee 2-61, Wagner 4-48)
Result: New Zealand won by 423 runs.
Player-of-the-match: Tim Southee.
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