Twitter Reactions: Clinical New Zealand complete clean sweep despite spirited fightback from Sri Lanka

New Zealand completed a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Test series despite a spirited performance by the visitors in their second innings of the second and final Test match. The fightback was led by Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva's stubborn partnership on the fourth day, but the Kiwi bowlers were too good for the visitors as Tim Southee's men had the final say on the proceedings.

The fourth day started inauspiciously for the Sri Lankans as half-centurion Kusal Mendis departed in the very first over of the day. Veteran middle-order batter Angelo Mathews also departed cheaply as Sri Lanka sled further into the match.

With Sri Lanka reduced to 114/4, the home side sensed an early finish to the match. However, senior batter Dinesh Chandimal and the talented Dhananjaya de Silva stood in the way of the Kiwis with a stubborn partnership for the fifth wicket. The duo added 126 runs for the fifth wicket before Chandimal fell on the stroke of Lunch.

Dhananjaya de Silva, who fell just two short of a magnificent century, also stitched together a defiant stand for the sixth wicket along with wicketkeeper-batter Nishan Madushka. However, both batters departed in the space of six deliveries handing the hosts the initiative heading into the final session of the day.

New Zealand took the extra half an hour on offer after completing their full quota of overs on the day as they were just one wicket away from completing a resounding victory in the second Test in Wellington. It proved to be the decisive moment in the day as Kiwi skipper Tim Southee ended Kasun Rajitha's defiance to claim a comfortable victory in the second Test. Earlier in the match, It was Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls' double centuries, which propelled the home side to a mammoth total, establishing their stronghold in the match.

Here is how Twitter reacted to New Zealand's comprehensive victory:

ICC@ICC

New Zealand overcome Sri Lanka's resistance to take the Test series 2-0. #WTC23 | 📝: bit.ly/NZvSL-Test2

11:03 AM · Mar 20, 2023

30718

BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

A 2-0 victory in the Dulux Test Series. Tim Southee (3-53) takes the final wicket late on Day 4. Blair Tickner (3-84) with valuable wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings. Catch up on the scores | on.nzc.nz/3TnqXhr. #NZvSL

11:04 AM · Mar 20, 2023

8714

Andrew McGlashan@andymcg_cricket

Wellington problems #NZvSL

07:45 AM · Mar 20, 2023

1296

CricTracker@Cricketracker

Dhananjaya de Silva missed a well-deserved century by just 2 runs. #NZvSL #NewZealand #SriLanka #Cricket #CricTracker #DhananjayadeSilva

10:03 AM · Mar 20, 2023

761

BLACKCAPS@BLACKCAPS

For those watching at home, the @sparknzsport camera crew have had to come down from the camera tower at the Adelaide Road end of the Basin Reserve due to extremely high winds in Wellington. #NZvSL

07:44 AM · Mar 20, 2023

10212

Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰@OfficialSLC

New Zealand win by an Innings and 58 runs, and clinch the series 2-0. #NZvSL

11:14 AM · Mar 20, 2023

20

Grant Elliott@grantelliottnz

Fire up the limo! @BLACKCAPS #SLvNZ 🙌🏻

10:59 AM · Mar 20, 2023

200

CricTracker@Cricketracker

New Zealand register a pretty comfortable innings win over Sri Lanka in the second Test in Wellington to clean sweep the visitors 2-0. #NZvSL #Wellington #Test #Cricket #CricTracker

11:27 AM · Mar 20, 2023

91

Karky_tapendra@KarkyTapendra

@BLACKCAPS W the series 2-0! #NZvSL

11:08 AM · Mar 20, 2023

41

Felix Geiringer@BarristerNZ

The @BLACKCAPS Bracewell show. Doug 2 wickets as bowler and a catch. Michael 5 as bowler, 3 catches and a run out. Combined Bracewell wickets 12 of 20! #NZvSL

11:07 AM · Mar 20, 2023

10

Thimira Navod@ImThimira07

Test series New Zealand won 2 : 0 (2)🏆 #NZvSL #TestSeries

11:34 AM · Mar 20, 2023

00