Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline
The cricketing rivalry between Sri Lanka and New Zealand has been a fascinating one, spanning several decades and filled with thrilling encounters across all formats. Since their first-ever Test match in 1953, these two teams have competed fiercely in Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), creating many memorable moments in cricket history. From Sri Lanka’s emergence as a cricketing powerhouse in the 1990s to New Zealand’s dominance in recent years, the battle between these two nations has continued to evolve.
The head-to-head record between them shows a closely contested history, with New Zealand having the edge in Tests and ODIs, while Sri Lanka has performed admirably in ICC tournaments. In this article, we take a deep dive into their historic timeline, their head-to-head stats in all formats, and some of the most iconic matches played between the two nations.
Table of Contents
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Timeline of Matches
1950s-1970s: Early Encounters in Test Cricket
The first-ever Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was played in 1953 in Christchurch, where New Zealand registered a comfortable victory. At that time, Sri Lanka was still an associate member of the ICC, and they played unofficial matches against Test-playing nations. The teams met again in 1967 and 1976, with New Zealand maintaining superiority. Sri Lanka, however, continued improving, and by the late 1970s, they were knocking on the doors of full Test status.
1980s: Sri Lanka Gains Test Status & ODI Rivalry Begins
A landmark moment in this rivalry came in 1983, when Sri Lanka and New Zealand faced off in their first-ever ODI match during the Cricket World Cup in Nottingham. In a historic upset, Sri Lanka emerged victorious, winning by 3 wickets, marking one of their first major wins in international cricket. Just a year later, in 1984, Sri Lanka was granted Test status, and they played their first official Test series against New Zealand. The rivalry took off from here, with the two teams meeting frequently in bilateral series. In 1987, during the World Cup, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka in a crucial group-stage match, which further fueled the growing competition between the two sides.
1990s: Competitive Matches & World Cup Clashes
The 1990s saw an increase in competitiveness between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, with both teams experiencing growth. In the 1992 Cricket World Cup, New Zealand registered a strong win over Sri Lanka, thanks to their in-form players like Martin Crowe and Chris Cairns. However, in 1995, Sri Lanka achieved a historic milestone by defeating New Zealand in a Test series for the first time, marking their arrival as a strong Test side. One of the most memorable moments came in the 1999 World Cup, where Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva played crucial roles in securing a win over New Zealand, strengthening Sri Lanka’s dominance in ODIs.
2000s: Sri Lanka’s Rise & Dominance in Limited-Overs
By the early 2000s, Sri Lanka had become one of the top cricketing nations, and their matches against New Zealand became highly competitive. In 2001, Sri Lanka whitewashed New Zealand 2-0 in a Test series, thanks to their world-class spin attack led by Muttiah Muralitharan. In the 2003 World Cup, New Zealand turned the tables by eliminating Sri Lanka in the Super Sixes stage. However, the most iconic encounter of the decade came in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup semi-final, where Sri Lanka, led by *Mahela Jayawardene’s stunning century (115)**, defeated New Zealand by 81 runs, securing their place in the final. This match is still remembered as one of Sri Lanka’s greatest World Cup performances.
2010s: T20 Battles & Frequent ICC Tournament Encounters
The rivalry extended to the shortest format of the game as well. In 2012, during the ICC T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka and New Zealand played a thrilling semi-final that ended in a dramatic Super Over victory for Sri Lanka. Lasith Malinga’s fiery bowling and Dilshan’s calm approach helped Sri Lanka clinch a famous win. However, New Zealand struck back in the 2015 Cricket World Cup quarter-final, dominating Sri Lanka with a massive win, thanks to a brilliant century from Martin Guptill. The two teams continued their battles in Test cricket as well, with New Zealand securing a Test series win in 2018, led by Kane Williamson and Tim Southee.
2020s: Recent Matches & Ongoing Rivalry
In the most recent decade, the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand rivalry has seen many one-sided matches, with New Zealand asserting their dominance. In the 2022 T20 World Cup, New Zealand delivered a commanding performance, defeating Sri Lanka comprehensively. Their latest meeting in the 2023 ODI World Cup saw New Zealand knocking Sri Lanka out of the tournament, with their aggressive batting and disciplined bowling proving too strong for the island nation.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Head-to-Head Records in All Formats
Test Matches Head-to-Head
| Format | Matches | Sri Lanka Wins | New Zealand Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 38 | 9 | 18 | 11 |
ODI Matches Head-to-Head
| Format | Matches | Sri Lanka Wins | New Zealand Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 101 | 41 | 51 | 9 |
T20I Matches Head-to-Head
| Format | Matches | Sri Lanka Wins | New Zealand Wins | No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 22 | 8 | 12 | 2 |
Memorable Matches Between Sri Lanka and New Zealand
1. 2007 World Cup Semi-Final
Sri Lanka won by 81 runs, with *Mahela Jayawardene scoring an unbeaten century (115)**. Lasith Malinga’s deadly yorkers helped Sri Lanka secure a spot in the final.
2. 2012 T20 World Cup Semi-Final
A dramatic Super Over victory for Sri Lanka, with Malinga’s bowling and Dilshan’s composure guiding them to the final.
3. 2019 Test Series: Kusal Perera’s Heroics
Kusal Perera played one of the greatest Test innings (153)* to chase down a record total against South Africa, showcasing Sri Lanka’s resilience in Test cricket.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand: Overall Summary
New Zealand has largely dominated Test and ODI cricket, while Sri Lanka has held their own in T20 matches. Some of the greatest players in cricket history, such as Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kane Williamson, and Ross Taylor, have played defining roles in this rivalry. As both teams continue to grow and evolve, the Sri Lanka vs New Zealand rivalry remains an exciting spectacle in the cricketing world. Their future encounters will surely bring more thrilling contests and unforgettable moments to fans.
Also read – England Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Timeline