Cricket 2023: Crazy last-ball drama locks in epic Aus v India rematch

Australia and India have been officially locked in as the World Test Championship Final, after a crazy Test match in New Zealand which was sealed on the last ball.

Australia has been locked into an epic rematch against India in London later this year, after a crazy last-ball thriller on the other side of the world in Christchurch.

Just a week or so after their ridiculous victory over England on the second last ball of the Test in Wellington... New Zealand did it again on Monday — this time a mind-blowing, last ball thriller against Sri Lanka.

In fading light and with New Zealand needing one to win with two wickets in hand, the second last ball was delivered in relative darkness, with umpires missing an obvious wide which Kiwi captain Williamson ducked under and didn’t offer a shot.

Then in absurd scenes, the lights suddenly flashed on for the final ball, as Williamson’s batting partner, Neil Wagner, braced to attempt a quick single with a torn hamstring.

The floodlights exploding to life didn’t help Williamson, who had an air swing … but he still managed to scramble through and slide his bat to avoid a direct-hit run-out, which gave the Black Caps’ stunning victory.

Word almost instantly carried to the Indian dressing rooms in Ahmedabad, as the result locked Rohit Sharma’s team in for an epic rematch against Australia in the World Test Championship Final at The Oval on June 7.

Kane Williamson makes his ground as New Zealand claim victory over Sri Lanka in a crazy finish at Hagley Oval. Picture: Getty Images

Williamson made a brilliant unbeaten hundred and just when the game seemed destined for a draw in the final session, the champion batsman upped the ante and pushed for what was ultimately a miraculous win.

New Zealand needed 8 to win off the last over with only three wickets in hand.

A run-out caused further chaos, with New Zealand electing to send Wagner out for the last three balls, somewhat inexplicably, given he had a torn hamstring from earlier in the match.

Williamson then smashed a four off the third last ball to bring the equation to one run to win off the last two balls.

With the second last ball, Sri Lanka bowled a bouncer which was so high it should have been called a wide and Williamson didn’t attempt a shot as he stayed underneath.

As the last ball went past Williamson’s bat an into the keeper’s gloves, Wagner sprinted through with his dodgy hammy with a throw missing the stumps missing by the barest of margins, which would have secured a draw for Sri Lanka.

New Zealand's Neil Wagner hugs his teammate Kane Williamson after winning the first Test cricket match against Sri Lanka. Picture: AFP

But it wasn’t over yet.

The bowler fielded superbly and threw down the stumps at the bowler’s end.

Sri Lanka thought Williamson was short. Williamson thought he was short, and the mild-mannered kiwi even started politely remonstrating with the umpire about how the previous ball wasn’t called wide.

But then the replay came up on the big screen and in agonising slow-mo, Williamson’s bat snuck into its ground about three inches before the stumps were broken.

New Zealand won by two wickets off the last ball, knocking Sri Lanka out of the WTC Final race.

India was relying on Sri Lanka not beating New Zealand 2-0 to secure their passage to face Australia in the World Test Championship Final later this year.

The Indians in the dressing room celebrated, then the message came down to the field and players on the field started discussing the fact their place had been booked.

India has won this series, but Australia now gets a rematch where the winner takes all.

Originally published as Cricket 2023: Crazy last-ball drama locks in epic Aus v India rematch