Sri Lanka hosted New Zealand for a comprehensive multi-format cricket tour spanning Tests, ODIs, and T20Is during the 2024-25 season. The tour featured seven international matches across three formats, with Sri Lanka emerging dominant in the longest format while the shorter formats produced more competitive outcomes.
The series showcased several individual masterclasses, most notably from Kusal Mendis who accumulated 217 runs across the first two ODIs. New Zealand’s bowling attack struggled on the slower Sri Lankan pitches, while the hosts’ spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, exploited conditions to great effect throughout the tour.
This article provides comprehensive scorecard details, player statistics, and match-by-match results for the Sri Lanka national cricket team versus New Zealand national cricket team encounters during this tour.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Match Scorecard and Result
The 2024-25 tour produced decisive results across formats, with Sri Lanka securing an emphatic 2-0 victory in the Test series while splitting the white-ball encounters. Below is the complete scorecard summary for all seven international matches played during the tour.
Sri Lanka 2-0 New Zealand
Sri Lanka 2-0 New Zealand (3 matches)
Series Tied 1-1 (2 matches)
Sri Lanka 5 wins, New Zealand 1 win
Head-to-Head Summary by Format
| Format | Matches | Sri Lanka Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Matches | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI Matches | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I Matches | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Match-by-Match Scorecard Overview
- 1st Test: Sri Lanka 305 & 309 defeated New Zealand 340 & 211 by 63 runs
- 2nd Test: Sri Lanka 602/5 declared defeated New Zealand (target reduced) by innings margin
- 1st ODI: Sri Lanka 324/5 (49.2 overs) beat New Zealand 175/9 (27 overs) by 45 runs (DLS)
- 2nd ODI: Sri Lanka 210/7 (46 overs) beat New Zealand 209 (45.1 overs) by 3 wickets
- 3rd ODI: Full details not fully documented in available sources
- 1st T20I: Sri Lanka 140/6 (19 overs) beat New Zealand 135 (19.3 overs) by 4 wickets
- 2nd T20I: New Zealand 108 (19.3 overs) beat Sri Lanka 103 (19.5 overs) by 5 runs
Key Player Performances and Stats
The 2024-25 tour produced outstanding individual performances across all formats, with Kusal Mendis emerging as the standout batsman of the series. His back-to-back scores of 143 and 74 not out in the first two ODIs set the tone for Sri Lanka’s dominant display in the limited-overs leg.
Batting Highlights
Mendis achieved the highest individual ODI score by a Sri Lankan against New Zealand during the first ODI at Colombo. His innings of 143 from 128 balls included 16 fours and 4 sixes, earning him the Player of the Match award. In the second ODI, he remained unbeaten on 74 from 102 deliveries to guide his team to a tense three-wicket victory.
Kamindu Mendis proved equally destructive in the Test format, accumulating 309 runs across the two matches to finish as the series’ highest run-scorer in whites. His performances included a gritty half-century and a match-winning century in the second innings of the first Test, followed by a monumental effort in the second Test where Sri Lanka posted their first 600-plus total against New Zealand.
Kusal Mendis reached his 19th Test fifty in 67 balls during the first Test, and his fourth Test century in 145 balls. The first Test also saw multiple LBW referrals, with Angelo Mathews successfully retaining his wicket against New Zealand’s bowling attack.
Bowling Highlights
Maheesh Theekshana emerged as Sri Lanka’s most effective bowler in the ODI series, recording figures of 3 for 31 in 9.1 overs during the second match. His ability to extract turn and bounce from the Colombo pitches troubled New Zealand’s batsmen throughout the series.
Wanindu Hasaranga delivered a match-winning spell in the second T20I, claiming 4 for 17 from four overs. New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips responded with impressive figures of 3 for 6 from just 1.5 overs in the same match, demonstrating the high quality of spin bowling on display throughout the tour.
William O’Rourke registered his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket during the first Test, finishing with 5 for 55 from 18.5 overs. His performance gave New Zealand hope after Sri Lanka’s strong first innings, but the visitors ultimately fell short in both matches.
Kusal Mendis led all run-scorers with 217 ODI runs. Theekshana topped Sri Lanka’s bowling with 3/31 as best figures. In T20Is, Pathum Nissanka’s 52 from 51 balls and Hasaranga’s 4/17 were standout performances.
Key Partnerships and Turning Points
The first Test featured a crucial 51-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Kamindu Mendis (29) and Kusal Mendis (22). This stand helped stabilize Sri Lanka’s first innings after an early collapse, setting up their competitive total of 305 runs.
In T20I encounters, New Zealand’s powerplay dominance in the first match saw them reach 49 runs for 2 wickets in the first six overs. Sri Lanka responded by reaching their 50 in 6.1 overs and 100 in 13.4 overs, ultimately securing victory by four wickets with six balls remaining.
Match Details: Date, Venue, and Format
The Sri Lanka versus New Zealand tour took place entirely in Sri Lanka during the 2024-25 cricket season. Matches were scheduled across multiple venues on the island, with Colombo serving as the primary host city for most international fixtures.
Test Series Schedule
The two-Test series began in September 2024. The first Test at Colombo featured four completed innings across three days of play, with rain causing interruptions during the second and third sessions. The second Test, also in Colombo, stretched to six days due to a scheduled rest day on September 21 to accommodate a national election.
Sri Lanka’s innings in the second Test produced a historic total of 602 runs for 5 wickets declared. This marked the first time any team had scored over 500 runs against New Zealand in a Test innings, and the first instance of a team posting 600 or more runs against nine different opponents.
ODI and T20I Schedule
The limited-overs leg of the tour was scheduled for November and December 2024. The three-match ODI series began in mid-November, with the matches played at venues in southern and central Sri Lanka. A tour match between New Zealand XI and Sri Lanka was arranged for December 23, 2024, structured as a 20-over practice match that was ultimately abandoned early without a toss due to conditions.
Rain delays affected multiple matches throughout the tour. The first ODI was decided using the DLS method after New Zealand’s innings was curtailed to 27 overs. The first Test also experienced session interruptions due to rain, with stumps called early on multiple days.
Series Timeline and Match Schedule
The tour progressed systematically from the longest format through to the shortest, allowing both teams to build momentum and assess their combinations throughout the series.
- September 2024 – First Test, Colombo: Sri Lanka defeats New Zealand by 63 runs
- September 21, 2024 – Rest day during Second Test due to national election
- Mid-September 2024 – Second Test concludes with Sri Lanka posting 602/5
- Mid-November 2024 – First ODI, Colombo: Sri Lanka 324/5 defeats New Zealand 175/9 by 45 runs (DLS)
- Mid-November 2024 – Second ODI: Sri Lanka 210/7 beats New Zealand 209 by 3 wickets
- Late-November 2024 – Third ODI: Full details not fully documented
- December 2024 – First T20I: Sri Lanka 140/6 defeats New Zealand 135 by 4 wickets
- December 2024 – Second T20I: New Zealand 108 beats Sri Lanka 103 by 5 runs
- December 23, 2024 – Tour match: New Zealand XI vs Sri Lanka abandoned
Confirmed Results versus Live Updates
All match results documented in this article reflect confirmed outcomes from official match reports and verified cricket databases. The following breakdown indicates the certainty level of information presented.
| Category | Information | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Test Series Result | Sri Lanka won 2-0 | ✓ Confirmed |
| ODI Series Result | Sri Lanka won 2 of 3 matches | ✓ Confirmed |
| T20I Series Result | Series split 1-1 | ✓ Confirmed |
| 1st ODI Scorecard | SL 324/5, NZ 175/9 | ✓ Confirmed |
| 2nd ODI Scorecard | SL 210/7, NZ 209 | ✓ Confirmed |
| 3rd ODI Details | Full scorecard not fully documented | ⚠ Partial |
| 2nd Test Scorecard | SL 602/5 declared | ✓ Confirmed |
| Tour Match | Abandoned early, no result | ✓ Confirmed |
Match Analysis and Context
Sri Lanka’s comprehensive victory in the Test series reflected their adaptation to local conditions and the effectiveness of their spin attack on pitches prepared specifically to suit their strengths. The team’s batting depth proved decisive, with contributions coming from across the order in both matches.
New Zealand entered the tour as competitive opponents but struggled to replicate their success on the slower Sri Lankan surfaces. Their bowlers showed occasional brilliance, as demonstrated by O’Rourke’s five-wicket haul, but the batting lineup failed to build substantial totals against sustained pressure from Sri Lanka’s spinners.
The white-ball formats produced more competitive cricket, with New Zealand securing a memorable victory in the second T20I through Glenn Phillips’ exceptional bowling figures. The split series result in T20Is reflected the closely contested nature of those matches, with both teams trading victories in closely fought encounters.
Official Sources and References
The scorecard data and match statistics presented in this article have been compiled from multiple verified cricket news sources and official databases.
Kusal Mendis scored 143 off 128 balls in the first ODI, the highest individual ODI score by a Sri Lankan against New Zealand, earning Player of the Match honors.
– Hindustan Times match report
Sri Lanka’s total of 602/5 in the second Test marked the first time any team had scored over 500 runs against New Zealand in Test cricket.
– NDTV Sports coverage
Additional reporting and detailed scorecards are available through Wikipedia’s comprehensive documentation of the New Zealand cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2024-25 tour and ESPN’s official match records.
For those interested in historical context, BBC Sport provides detailed archives of previous encounters between these two nations, while ICC’s official website offers comprehensive ranking and statistical analysis for international cricket.
Key Takeaways
The Sri Lanka national cricket team versus New Zealand national cricket team 2024-25 series produced a clear overall winner in Sri Lanka, who secured five victories across seven international matches. The tour highlighted Kusal Mendis as the standout performer with 217 runs across the first two ODIs, while Kamindu Mendis dominated the Test format with 309 runs. Bowling performances from Wanindu Hasaranga (4/17 in T20I) and Maheesh Theekshana (3/31 in ODI) demonstrated Sri Lanka’s spin bowling strength on home pitches. For more cricket coverage, explore our dedicated cricket results and analysis section.
The tour also provided valuable preparation ahead of upcoming ICC tournament engagements, with both teams using the series to test combinations and assess players in varied conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Test series in 2024-25?
Sri Lanka won the two-match Test series 2-0, defeating New Zealand in both matches played in Colombo during September 2024.
What was Kusal Mendis’ highest score against New Zealand?
Kusal Mendis scored 143 runs from 128 balls in the first ODI, which was the highest individual ODI score by a Sri Lankan against New Zealand. He followed this with an unbeaten 74 in the second ODI.
How many matches were played in the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand series?
The tour featured seven international matches: 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 2 T20Is, plus one abandoned tour match between New Zealand XI and Sri Lanka.
What was Sri Lanka’s highest total against New Zealand?
Sri Lanka’s 602/5 in the second Test was their highest ever total against New Zealand and marked the first time any team scored over 500 runs against New Zealand in Test cricket.
Who took the best bowling figures in the series?
Wanindu Hasaranga recorded the best figures of the tour with 4 for 17 from four overs in the second T20I. William O’Rourke also impressed with 5 for 55 in the first Test.
Where were the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand matches played?
All matches during the tour were played in Sri Lanka, with Colombo serving as the primary venue. The tour took place from September through December 2024.
What was the result of the T20I series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand?
The T20I series ended in a 1-1 split. Sri Lanka won the first match by 4 wickets, while New Zealand won the second match by 5 runs.
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Kevin Bennett covers business, markets and economic policy for Oz Reviewly.