Hey there, cricket fans! Imagine two teams stepping onto the field, one from the sunny shores of an island paradise, the other from the rugged, green landscapes down under. That’s the magic of Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline. These two sides have been locking horns since the late 1970s, creating moments that make your heart race and your voice hoarse from cheering. Whether it’s a nail-biting Test draw under rainy skies or a high-octane ODI chase under floodlights, their matches are like a good storybook—full of twists, heroes, and unforgettable endings.
I’m talking about the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline, of course. Sri Lanka, with their blue-and-gold flair, burst onto the scene as full Test members in 1982, but their clashes with the Kiwis go back even further in the shorter formats. New Zealand, always the gritty underdogs, have that never-say-die spirit that turns games on their head. Over the decades, they’ve played 39 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 28 T20Is, with New Zealand holding a slight edge overall—18 Test wins to Sri Lanka’s 10, 54 ODI triumphs to 44, and 16 T20I victories to 11. But don’t let the numbers fool you; every encounter feels like a fresh chapter.
In this article, we’ll stroll through their timeline like old mates chatting over a cuppa. We’ll break it down by format, highlight the big wins, the heartbreaking losses, and those “what if” moments. And right in the middle, I’ve got a handy table summarizing every key series. Whether you’re a kid just discovering cricket or a grandparent who’s seen it all, this is your easy guide to one of international cricket’s most balanced rivalries. Grab your popcorn—let’s dive in!
The Early Days: Building the Bridge (1979–1994)
Cricket between these two didn’t kick off with a bang, but more like a gentle lob. Their first meeting came during the 1979 Prudential World Cup in England. On June 9 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, New Zealand chased down Sri Lanka’s 238 with ease, winning by 9 wickets. Geoff Boycott’s steady hand guided the Kiwis to victory, while Sri Lanka, still finding their feet as a one-day side, learned a tough lesson. It was a sign of things to come—New Zealand’s clinical approach versus Sri Lanka’s budding flair.
The 1980s were sparse. Sri Lanka hosted New Zealand for a three-match ODI series in April 1983, but rain played spoilsport, washing out two games and leaving the decider a low-scoring affair that New Zealand won by 5 wickets. By 1987, during the World Cup in India, they met again—Sri Lanka pulled off a surprise 7-wicket win, thanks to Roy Dias’ unbeaten 94. These early ODIs (just 10 between 1979 and 1990) saw New Zealand win 6, but Sri Lanka’s first taste of victory planted seeds of confidence.
Tests? Not yet. Sri Lanka earned Test status in 1982, but it took until 1990 for their first red-ball clash. In Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground, New Zealand eked out a 10-wicket win. Sri Lanka’s batsmen struggled on a turning pitch, bowled out for 112 and 241, while Kiwi openers Bruce Edgar and Mark Greatbatch knocked off the target in a session. It was a rude awakening for the hosts, but skipper Aravinda de Silva’s gritty 75 in the second innings hinted at the fightback to come.
By 1992, Sri Lanka hosted another Test series, drawing the first at Galle (New Zealand won narrowly by 2 wickets) but stealing the second in Colombo by 9 wickets. Roshan Mahanama’s double century (225) was a standout, marking Sri Lanka’s first Test win over the Kiwis. These matches weren’t just games; they were stepping stones for Sri Lanka, who were transitioning from minnows to mid-table contenders.
The 1990s: Turning Points and Triumphs
Ah, the ’90s—the decade when both teams hit their strides. New Zealand toured Sri Lanka in 1992–93 for three Tests, but draws dominated until the final one at Kandy, where Sri Lanka clinched a 1–0 series win with an innings victory. Hashan Tillakaratne’s 163 not out was poetry in motion, and Muttiah Muralitharan, the spin wizard making his debut, took 5 for 64. It felt like the Lions were roaring.
Fast forward to 1995: Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand. In Napier, March 11–15, Arjuna Ranatunga’s men scripted history. Chasing a total after a shaky first innings, they piled on 352 in the second, powered by Sanath Jayasuriya’s aggressive 142. New Zealand crumbled twice (109 and 185), handing Sri Lanka a 241-run thrashing—their first overseas Test win ever! The second Test at Dunedin was a rain-hit draw, but the series 1–0 sealed Sri Lanka’s growing stature.
ODIs heated up too. The 1992 World Cup saw New Zealand edge a thriller by 4 wickets, but Sri Lanka responded in the 1996 World Cup (hosted by them and India) with a dominant 7-wicket win in Colombo. Jayasuriya’s hurricane 79 off 76 balls set the tone for Sri Lanka’s eventual Cup triumph—though they didn’t face the Kiwis in the knockouts, this match was a morale booster.
The late ’90s flipped the script. New Zealand’s 1997 tour of Sri Lanka saw them win the first Test at Dunedin by an innings and 36 runs—Martin Crowe’s 399 not out was a masterclass. But Sri Lanka bounced back in 1998, hosting a three-Test series. They lost the opener but won the next two emphatically: an innings and 16-run victory at Galle (Romesh Kaluwitharana’s 132) and a 164-run rout at SSC. Murali’s 9 for 99 in the decider was otherworldly. Series tied 1–1, but Sri Lanka’s home fortress was emerging.
By decade’s end, ODIs totaled 30 matches, with New Zealand leading 17–11. Yet, Sri Lanka’s 1999 World Cup win over the Kiwis by 4 wickets—thanks to Kumar Sangakkara’s debut fireworks—showed their white-ball evolution.
The 2000s: Peaks, Valleys, and Spin Battles
Entering the new millennium, these teams traded blows like old rivals at a pub. Sri Lanka’s 2001 home series was a 3–0 ODI whitewash, with Chaminda Vaas’ swing terrorizing the Kiwis. But Tests were tougher. In 2002–03, New Zealand toured for two Tests: a draw in Colombo (Stephen Fleming’s 274 rescued them) and a Kiwi win by 4 wickets in Galle, chasing 274.
2004’s Sri Lanka tour Down Under was forgettable for the visitors—New Zealand won the ODI series 3–0, with Chris Cairns’ all-round heroics shining. But 2005 flipped it: Sri Lanka drew the first Test at Napier and lost the second at Wellington by an innings, yet their ODI tour was a 3–2 thriller, with Upul Tharanga’s consistency key.
The mid-2000s brought T20Is! Their debut clash was December 2006 in Wellington—Sri Lanka won by 18 runs (D/L method), with Tillakaratne Dilshan smashing 48 off 27. Tests that year were split: New Zealand won at Christchurch by 5 wickets, but Sri Lanka thrashed them by 217 runs in Wellington, Kumar Sangakkara’s 287 the highlight.
World Cups added spice. In 2003, New Zealand won by 9 wickets; in 2007, Sri Lanka by 60 runs. By 2009 T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka edged a Super Eight thriller by 2 runs. The decade closed with New Zealand leading Tests 10–5, but Sri Lanka’s ODIs were neck-and-neck at 24–23.
The 2010s: Drama in Every Format
This era was pure theatre. Sri Lanka’s 2011 home Tests saw draws, but ODIs were electric— a 4–2 series win. The 2015 World Cup (co-hosted by NZ) was heartbreaking for the hosts: Sri Lanka knocked them out in quarters by 6 wickets, but New Zealand reached the final.
T20Is exploded: Sri Lanka’s 2012 tour saw a 1–1 series draw, with Lasith Malinga’s toe-crushers starring. Tests in 2014: New Zealand’s historic 2–0 whitewash in UAE, Angelo Mathews’ men folding under pressure.
By 2019, ODIs hit 80+ matches, with New Zealand’s 3–2 series win in Sri Lanka. T20s were 1–1 in 2019, but the decade’s stat line? New Zealand up in Tests (14–7), ODIs even at 35–32, T20s Kiwis 9–5.
The 2020s: Modern Mayhem and Recent Thrillers
Post-pandemic, intensity ramped up. 2021 T20 World Cup: New Zealand won by 5 wickets. But 2023’s Sri Lanka tour was a shocker—New Zealand won Tests 1–0, ODIs 2–0, T20Is 1–0.
2024 was wild! New Zealand’s Test tour of Sri Lanka: Sweeping 2–0 win in Galle and Colombo, Rachin Ravindra’s double tons devastating. White-ball flips: Sri Lanka won T20Is 2–0 in November (Charith Asalanka’s 67* in the decider), then ODIs 2–1, their first series win over Kiwis since 2012.
Into 2025: Sri Lanka’s tour of NZ. T20Is: New Zealand stole a 2–1 series, Jacob Duffy’s 4/15 in the opener a game-changer. ODIs: Kiwis won 2–1, Matt Henry’s swing sealing the decider by 10 wickets. As of September 2025, Tests stand at NZ 18–10, ODIs NZ 54–44, T20Is NZ 16–11.
The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline Table: Every Series at a Glance
To make sense of it all, here’s a full table of their bilateral series across formats. I’ve kept it simple—dates, winner, and a fun highlight. (Note: World Cup matches are noted separately as they’re not bilateral.)
| Format | Year | Series/Tour | Winner | Margin | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 1979 | World Cup (England) | New Zealand | 9 wkts | Boycott’s steady chase sets tone. |
| ODI | 1983 | Sri Lanka v NZ (3 ODIs) | Drawn (1 NZ win, 2 NR) | – | Rain ruins Sri Lanka home debut. |
| ODI | 1987 | World Cup (India/Pak) | Sri Lanka | 7 wkts | Dias’ 94 turns the tide. |
| ODI | 1990 | NZ in SL (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–0 | Kiwi seamers dominate. |
| Test | 1990–91 | NZ in SL (1 Test) | New Zealand | 10 wkts | Edgar-Greatbatch pair ruthless. |
| Test | 1992 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | Sri Lanka | 1–0 | Mahanama’s 225 a masterpiece. |
| ODI | 1992 | World Cup (Aus/NZ) | New Zealand | 4 wkts | Thriller in Hamilton. |
| ODI | 1992–93 | NZ in SL (3 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 2–1 | De Silva’s captaincy shines. |
| Test | 1992–93 | NZ in SL (3 Tests) | Sri Lanka | 1–0 | Murali’s debut 5-fer. |
| ODI | 1994 | Benson & Hedges WC (Pak/NZ) | Sri Lanka | 6 wkts | Kaluwitharana’s quickfire 50. |
| Test | 1995 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | Sri Lanka | 1–0 | Jayasuriya’s 142, first overseas win! |
| ODI | 1995 | SL in NZ (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 4–1 | Fleming’s 300+ runs. |
| ODI | 1996 | World Cup (Ind/Pak/SL) | Sri Lanka | 7 wkts | Jayasuriya’s WC opener blitz. |
| Test | 1997 | NZ in SL (1 Test) | New Zealand | Inns & 36 runs | Crowe’s 399 not out epic. |
| ODI | 1998 | NZ in SL (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 2–1 | Astle’s all-round show. |
| Test | 1998 | NZ in SL (3 Tests) | Drawn (1 each) | – | Murali’s 9/99 in decider. |
| ODI | 2000 | SL in NZ (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–2 | Twose’s 248 runs. |
| Test | 2001 | NZ in SL (2 Tests) | Drawn | – | Rain and resilience. |
| ODI | 2001 | NZ in SL (3 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 3–0 | Vaas’ 13 wickets. |
| ODI | 2002 | SL in Aus/NZ tri-series | Mixed | – | Atapattu’s form peaks. |
| Test | 2002 | NZ in SL (1 Test) | Drawn | – | Fleming’s 274 rescue act. |
| ODI | 2002–03 | NZ in SL (7 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 4–2 | Jayawardene’s 300+ aggregate. |
| Test | 2004 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 1–0 | Bond’s pace terror. |
| ODI | 2004 | SL in NZ (7 ODIs) | New Zealand | 4–1 | Styris’ middle-order mastery. |
| Test | 2005 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 1–0 | Oram’s 6/60 at Wellington. |
| ODI | 2005 | SL in NZ (5 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 3–2 | Tharanga’s 205 runs. |
| T20I | 2006 | SL in NZ (1 T20I) | Sri Lanka | 18 runs (D/L) | Dilshan’s 48 off 27. |
| Test | 2006 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | Drawn (1 each) | – | Sangakkara’s 287. |
| ODI | 2006 | SL in NZ (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–2 | Ryder’s explosive starts. |
| ODI | 2009 | World Cup qual | New Zealand | 180 runs | McCullum’s ton. |
| ODI | 2009 | SL in NZ (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–1 | Brendon McCullum’s fireworks. |
| T20I | 2009 | NZ in SL (2 T20Is) | Sri Lanka | 2–0 | Dilshan’s century in 2nd. |
| ODI | 2010 | World Cup (WI) | New Zealand | 10 wkts | Nathan McCullum’s spin. |
| Test | 2010 | NZ in SL (2 Tests) | Drawn | – | Herath’s 10-fer attempt. |
| ODI | 2011 | NZ in SL (5 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 4–1 | Thisara Perera’s all-round blitz. |
| ODI | 2011 | World Cup (Ind/Ban/SL) | New Zealand | 110 runs | Taylor’s captain’s knock. |
| T20I | 2012 | SL in NZ (2 T20Is) | Drawn (1 each) | – | Malinga’s toe-crusher to Taylor. |
| Test | 2012 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 1–0 | Boult’s debut 6-fer. |
| ODI | 2013 | NZ in SL (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–2 | Elliott’s match-winning 79*. |
| ODI | 2014 | SL in NZ (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 4–1 | Williamson’s consistency. |
| Test | 2014 | SL in UAE (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 2–0 | Watling’s marathon 195. |
| ODI | 2015 | World Cup (Aus/NZ) | New Zealand | 4 wkts (QFs) | Elliott’s heroic 84*. |
| T20I | 2015 | NZ in SL (3 T20Is) | New Zealand | 2–1 | Munro’s explosive 47 off 20. |
| ODI | 2015 | NZ in SL (5 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 3–2 | Mathews’ all-round masterclass. |
| Test | 2016 | NZ in SL (3 Tests) | Sri Lanka | 1–0 | Herath’s 9/127 in decider. |
| ODI | 2016 | NZ in SL (5 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–2 | Williamson’s 191-run series. |
| T20I | 2016 | World T20 (Ind) | New Zealand | 4 runs | Neesham’s last-over heroics. |
| ODI | 2018 | SL in NZ (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–0 | Southee’s 10 wickets. |
| T20I | 2019 | SL in NZ (3 T20Is) | Drawn (1 each, 1 NR) | – | Perera’s 87 off 40. |
| ODI | 2019 | SL in NZ (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 2–1 | Guptill’s 100 in opener. |
| ODI | 2019 | World Cup (Eng/Wal) | Sri Lanka | 10 wkts | Malinga’s farewell swansong. |
| Test | 2021 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 2–0 | Wagner’s bouncer barrage. |
| ODI | 2021 | SL in NZ (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 3–0 | Conway’s 300+ runs. |
| T20I | 2021 | World T20 (UAE/Oman) | New Zealand | 5 wkts | Williamson’s cool chase. |
| Test | 2023 | SL in NZ (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 1–0 | Tickner’s 6/86 on debut. |
| ODI | 2023 | SL in NZ (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 2–1 | Ravindra’s all-round show. |
| T20I | 2023 | SL in NZ (3 T20Is) | New Zealand | 1–0 | Phillips’ 49-ball 87. |
| Test | 2024 | NZ in SL (2 Tests) | New Zealand | 2–0 | Ravindra’s twin tons in Galle. |
| T20I | 2024 | NZ in SL (2 T20Is) | Sri Lanka | 2–0 | Asalanka’s 67* seals series. |
| ODI | 2024 | NZ in SL (3 ODIs) | Sri Lanka | 2–1 | Nissanka’s 416 runs. |
| T20I | 2024–25 | SL in NZ (3 T20Is) | New Zealand | 2–1 | Duffy’s 4/15 in opener. |
| ODI | 2024–25 | SL in NZ (3 ODIs) | New Zealand | 2–1 | Henry’s swing in decider. |
(Word count so far: ~1,450. Table covers 50+ entries for completeness.)
Memorable Matches: The Ones We Talk About
No timeline is complete without the fireworks. Remember 1995’s Napier Test? Sri Lanka’s 241-run win broke barriers. Or 2006’s Wellington Test, Sangakkara’s 287 making him the second Asian to score a triple ton. In ODIs, 2015’s World Cup quarterfinal—New Zealand’s collapse to 139, then Elliott’s gritty 84* for a 4-wicket win—pure edge-of-seat stuff.
T20Is? The 2012 Christchurch thriller: Malinga yorking Taylor on the last ball for a 1-run win. And who can forget 2024’s Dambulla T20I, where New Zealand imploded from 88/0 to all out, handing Sri Lanka a famous chase?
These moments aren’t just stats; they’re stories of resilience. Sri Lanka’s spinners like Murali (100+ wickets vs NZ) and Herath have bamboozled Kiwis, while New Zealand’s pacers—Southee, Boult—have exploited away conditions.
Head-to-Head Stats: By the Numbers
Quick snapshot:
- Tests (39): NZ 18 wins, SL 10, 11 draws. Highest SL total: 576/9 (2003). Best Kiwi bowling: Bond 6/51 (2002).
- ODIs (108): NZ 54, SL 44, 1 tie, 9 NR. SL’s biggest win: 337 runs (1995). NZ’s: 10 wkts (multiple).
- T20Is (28): NZ 16, SL 11, 2 ties, 1 NR. Fastest SL 50: Dilshan 16 balls (2009).
Sri Lanka wins more at home (60% ODIs), NZ away (55% Tests).
What’s Next? The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team Timeline Rivalry Rolls On
As we hit 2025, with the World Test Championship looming, expect more fireworks. Sri Lanka eyes home redemption; New Zealand builds on their white-ball edge. This timeline isn’t ending—it’s just halftime. Who knows? The next chapter might be written in Galle or Eden Park.
