New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2014-15

At Wellington (Basin Reserve), January 3-7, 2015. New Zealand won by 193 runs. Toss: Sri Lanka.
The Basin Reserve is widely regarded as the best pitch in New Zealand, but in recent Tests it has become a field of misery for touring sides. The pattern was established during the previous home summer, against West Indies and India, and two days before the start head groundsman Brett Sipthorpe again unveiled an emerald-green strip barely discernible from the outfield. It left the tourists shaking their heads and fearing the worst. And, once again, the pitch seamed around on day one, before flattening out.

The policy looked to have backfired as Mathews called correctly once more, and a pace attack led by the recalled Nuwan Pradeep Fernando ran through New Zealand for 221, the last eight falling for 80. The conditions were not as unplayable as some of the batting suggested, but that wasn't the end of the fun. By the close, 15 wickets had tumbled as Sri Lanka - unnerved by what they had helped bring about - slumped to 78 for five, three of them to Bracewell, restored in place of Neil Wagner. The ball hardly darted round corners, but both sets of batsmen seemed convinced the next delivery had their name on it.

Sure enough, conditions grew easier, and Sangakkara seized control. Few are as good at manipulating the bowlers, or batting with the lower order, and he gave a masterful display - joining Bradman, Hammond and Lara by making a fifth Test double-century away from home. Chandimal, recalled in place of Niroshan Dickwella (but with Prasanna Jayawardene preferred to both as wicketkeeper), helped Sangakkara add 130, before Neesham broke the partnership, and later added Sangakkara, thanks to a stunning one-handed catch by a leaping Boult at cover. Their hard work lifted Sri Lanka to a healthy lead of 135.

Williamson had not been far behind McCullum as a run machine in 2014 - and New Zealand needed him now more than ever. Fernando was at it again, removing both openers after they had put on 75, and helping reduce the hosts to 159 for five, a lead of only 24. But Williamson stepped up to change the momentum of an absorbing match. He had some major let-offs: on 29, Herath spilled a return catch; on 60, Fernando juggled, then dropped, a regulation chance off Prasad at fine leg; and, on 104, Jayawardene missed a tickle off Herath.

Thereafter, it was full steam ahead. Watling batted in similar fashion, and Sri Lanka were suddenly rudderless. Williamson raised his first Test double-century; Watling his fourth hundred. The pair stayed together for eight hours, forging an unbroken 365 to erase the sixth-wicket Test record Watling and McCullum had established on the same ground in February 2014, for which a plaque had just been unveiled on the footpath around the ground's perimeter. The Basin Reserve authorities hastily drew up plans for a new one.

Williamson reached 3,000 Test runs more quickly than any New Zealander, even Martin Crowe - and McCullum later said his vice-captain might soon be regarded as their greatest batsman. Crowe famously nicked Arjuna Ranatunga behind for 299 in a Test against Sri Lanka, and the only question was whether Williamson could match McCullum's triplecentury, against India. There was enough time, but McCullum - placing team ahead of individual - declared with Williamson on 242 to give his bowlers 107 overs to wrap up a 2-0 series win.

Sangakkara was controversially dismissed on a DRS challenge: no edge showed up on Hot Spot, but Snickometer detected some movement. It was a quick slide for Sri Lanka, as Craig's off-spin suddenly became the biggest threat. Thirimanne dug in and finished undefeated on 62, his first half-century for nearly two years, but Craig ripped through the lower order and the job was complete.