New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2006-07

At Christchurch, January 2, 2007. New Zealand won by four wickets (D/L method). Toss: New Zealand.

New Zealand took the series lead with a convincing victory, much as they had done in similarly chilly weather in the three-day First Test at the same ground. Put in, Sri Lanka never recovered from Jayasuriya's departure in the second over, and only reached three figures thanks to diligent resistance from Dilshan and Maharoof. They had to cope with some superb fielding, especially from wicketkeeper McCullum, who pulled off a stunning diving catch down the leg side to remove Tharanga after he had laboured to 11 in an hour. Mason, the batting hero of the previous match, took four good wickets this time. A brief rain stoppage trimmed New Zealand's target to 110 in 46 overs, but they required little more than half of them. It was not all plain sailing, though: Astle and Taylor both made ducks, and it needed common sense from Fulton and Franklin to steer their side home from 70 for six.

Man of the Match: M. J. Mason.