New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline : Evolution of Rivalry
If you are a cricket enthusiast, you must be aware of the rivalry that has developed in the past several decades. We are talking about the rivalry between New Zealand National Cricket Team and Sri Lanka National Cricket Team. Since the early encounter in 1953, the exciting rivalry has grown steadily. However, along with their intense matches and competitions, they also encourage mutual respect. In addition, both the teams have played against each other in all the cricket formats. Their encounters have also caused immense excitement among fans from both the sides. They have played ODI matches, T20Is and even test matches. Furthermore, with each match, their rivalry has taken a step ahead and the competition became more intense. However, it has always made fans feel more excitement and thrill. Many fans often wonder how their rivalry even started. Therefore, in this article we will discuss New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline.
This blog post explores how the rivalry of these two teams have grown in last few decades. Moreover, we will start discussing from the very first encounter of these two teams in the cricket world. So let us see how and when they have competed against each other.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline : About the Rivalry
Both the teams have witnessed the evolving rivalry in the past few decades. Moreover, it started with their first encounter in the year 1953. Further, these teams have played against each other several times. That too, in all of the cricket formats. The timeline of these two teams include several key moments and highlights. So let us have a look at the timeline.
New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline : 1950s to 1970s
Back then, Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon. During the New Zealand’s tour of Ceylon in the year 1953, both the teams had their first encounter. Moreover, this meeting fixed the cricketing ties of both the teams. Therefore, we could say that the beginning of their many further encounters was in 1953. However, talking about test match, the first one took place in the year 1973. Both the teams showed immense excitement and passion to win. But, the result came out to be a ‘tie’. Furthermore, this test match proved to be a significant one for Sri Lanka. This is because post this match, it became a test-playing nation. In addition, the teams played their first ODI against each other in the year 1975. In this match, New Zealand was the one who won.
1980s to 1990s
1984 was the year when the rivalry between both the teams started to develop. Moreover, it took shape when New Zealand dominantly won the three-match test series. In this series, New Zealand’s skilled and experienced lineup was evident. Therefore, the dominant victory of this team resulted in the competition getting intense. Additionally, the 1992 Cricket World Cup gave fuel to this early stage of rivalry. Inspite of New Zealand’s win, it was visible that Sri Lanka’s team had developed over the years. Finally, in the year 1995, Sri Lanka won fir the first time against New Zealand.
2000s to 2009s
In the early years, both the teams displayed utmost strength and skills. Thus, they resulted in close competition. The test matches between these two teams were marked by high quality cricket. Moreover, Sri Lanka achieved victory against New Zealand again in the year 2003 in ICC Cricket World Cup. Indeed, it was a memorable match. However, the year 2006 got New Zealand a rare victory against Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the match highlighted the key performances of Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori.
In addition, 2007 highlighted Sri Lanka’s ability to adapt to T20 format as it won in the T20 World Cup.
2010s to 2021
Again, in the year 2012, a two-match series resulted in a draw. Hence, it displayed the development of skills in both the teams. All the encounters in this period were immensely thrilling because they had close competition. Further, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in ICC T20 World Cup 2014. Also, in the years 2019-2020, Sri Lanka faced dominance by New Zealand National Cricket Team. Moreover, it was mainly in the test cricket series. New Zealand’s experience and developed skills resulted in their dominant victory. Luckily, New Zealand won the inaugural world Test championship in the year 2021. Although, the team did not play against Sri Lanka. However, this victory added a significant name to the team of New Zealand. It means that it helped the team to enhance their overall standing in the world of cricket.
Final Words
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Timeline displays the significant growth of both the teams. Over the decades, both the teams have evolved for the better. Moreover, they both have had significant victories against each other. Furthermore, their rivalry has contributed to many memorable events in the history of cricket. In addition, every encounter of these teams have resulted in thrill and excitement among the fans.
