New Zealand has won the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka in Christchurch with a day to spare after chasing down a 105-run target.
Kane Williamson plays a shot. Day 4, ANZ Boxing Day Cricket Test, New Zealand Black Caps v Sri Lanka. Photo: Photosport
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor calmly guided the Black Caps to an eight-wicket victory after tea as the home side made 107 for two, having suffered some uneasy moments early on.
Tom Latham was caught on 17, before fellow opener Hamish Rutherford lost his wicket a few overs later for 10.
Williamson and Taylor took control of the innings, scoring 31 and 39 not out respectively.
Earlier the Black Caps dismissed Sri Lanka for 407 before lunch after picking up five wickets.
Sri Lanka resumed the day on 293 for five in their second innings, still trailing New Zealand's first innings total of 441, having been forced to follow on.
Tim Southee picked up three wickets in the morning and finished with figures of four for 91.
The two tailenders Shaminda Eranga, not out 45 and Suranga Lakmal 16, frustrated the hosts after putting on 59 runs for the final wicket, before Trent Boult struck.
Boult finished with four for 100.
The victory is their fifth Test win of 2014, their most in a calendar year and it will be remembered just as much for captain Brendon McCullum's achievements as the win itself.
The 33-year-old became the first New Zealand batsman to surpass 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year and broke his own national record for the fastest Test century, which came off 74 balls.
The second Test starts in Wellington this Saturday.
