NZ bowlers with best Test performance (innings) in Sri Lanka
The New Zealand cricket team is playing Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series away. Notably, in the ongoing first Test in Galle, the Lankans were folded for 305 in their first innings courtesy of a brilliant fifer from William O'Rourke (5/55). O'Rourke recorded these figures over two days. We decode New Zealand bowlers with best figures (innings) on Sri Lankan soil.
Daniel Vettori (6/64) Colombo, 1998
Daniel Vettori recorded figures of 6/64 during the second innings of the third Test in Colombo in 1998. It's the best figures by a NZ bowler in Tests on Lankan soil. Vettori bowled 33 overs and managed 10 maidens during his spell. His match figures read (7/116). However, SL won the match by 164 runs. They set a target of 296 as NZ perished.
Stephen Boock (5/28) Kandy, 1984
Stephen Boock picked up five wickets in his 9.3 overs (5/28) during the second innings of the first Test at Kandy in 1984. The hosts were folded for 97 as Boock managed four maidens during his spell. NZ won the match by 165 runs after setting a target of 263 runs. Additionally, Richard Hadlee recorded figures of 4/8 in his seven overs (four maidens).
Richard Hadlee (5/29) Colombo, 1984
All-rounder Hadlee claimed figures worth 5/73 and 5/29 during the first and second innings respectively, in the third Test at Colombo in 1984. Hadlee bowled 38 overs in the match, including 11 maidens. His match figures read 10/102. His fifer in the second innings aided NZ in restricting SL to just 142 runs. NZ won the match by an innings and 61 runs.
William O'Rourke (5/55) Galle, 2024
O'Rourke recorded figures of 5/55 during the first innings of the first Test at Galle in 2024. He managed these figures over two days, picking up three on the first day and trapping two-tail enders during the first session on the second day. O'Rourke bowled 18.5 overs, including four maidens. SL were folded for 305, and NZ are currently trailing by 160 runs.
