New Zealand started 2015 in the same form they ended last year with a crushing 193-run victory over Sri Lanka on the final day of the second Test in Wellington handing them a 2-0 series win.
Spinner Mark Craig led the way with 4-53 as the Black Caps, who enjoyed their best-ever Test year in 2014 with five format victories, dismissed the tourists for just 196.
Only Kaushal Silva and Lahiru Thirimanne, with 50 and 62 not out respectively, offered any sort of resistance for Sri Lanka, who had appeared in control after securing a first-innings lead of 135 courtesy of Kumar Sangakkara’s double-century.
However, man-of-the-match Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 242 in a world-record sixth-wicket stand of 365 with BJ Watling, who made 142 not out, wrestled the initiative back in their side’s favour and set up their victory charge today.
With just one wicket falling yesterday, Sri Lanka - resuming on 45 for one - would have held hopes of saving the match.
But they were soon in doubt when they lost four wickets in the first session, including Sangakkara and skipper Angelo Mathews for single figures.
Trent Boult found the edge of nightwatchman Dhammika Prasad's bat and then picked up the scalp of Sangakkara for the third time in the series courtesy of a successful review. The umpire’s decision for a marginal caught-behind, which only Boult was interested in, was overturned when Snicko showed a faint mark.
Doug Bracewell then got in on the action, having Kaushal caught by Craig at second slip before drawing the edge from Mathews that Williamson, stationed at gully, fumbled high to his left but spectacularly caught the rebound as he landed on the turf.
Mathews’ dismissal signalled the end of Sri Lanka’s hopes, despite Thirmanne’s third Test fifty, and Craig’s triple breakthrough left them reeling on 156 for eight.
In the space of four individual overs, Craig had Prasanna Jayawardene caught at cover, Dinesh Chandimal caught behind and Rangana Herath trapped lbw first ball.
New Zealand required just 17 minutes to wrap up the innings as Suranga Lakmal was run out and Tim Southee yorked Nuwan Pradeep.