All the action as the Black Caps take on Sri Lanka on day one of the second test in Christchurch.
As it happened: Black Caps v Sri Lanka, second test, day one
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Ajaz Patel congrads Tim Southee of the Black Caps on becoming NZ's third highest test wicket taker. Photo / www.photosport.co.nz
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The Black Caps are ready for their final test of 2018 - and they could end the year on a historic note.
A victory over Sri Lanka in the test series decider starting at Hagley Oval today would give the Black Caps a fourth straight test series victory – a feat that would be unprecedented in New Zealand's 88 years of test cricket.
The Black Caps have won three test series' in a row on three prior occasions, but each time they couldn't make it four on the trot.
The most impressive winning streak came in 1985-1986, when they reeled off consecutive series victories over Australia (twice) and England, while they also reached the mark in 2005-2006 (beating Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and the West Indies) and 2013-2014, triumphing over the West Indies (twice) and India.
Now, with their two-test series against Sri Lanka deadlocked after last week's draw in Wellington, they have an excellent chance to eclipse their prior streaks.
A series win over West Indies last December started their most recent run, before the Black Caps beat England in March, and most famously, triumphed over Pakistan last month in the United Arab Emirates.
Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan says a fourth straight series victory would mean a lot to the side.
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"I'm very proud of our home record, and I guess that's one of the challenges for us now – this is a one-off test match, where the series is on the line, so there's a lot for the side to play for. That would mean a lot to the team in terms of that consistency of winning over a period of time against some very good opposition."
The Black Caps will likely name an unchanged XI for the test, with the make-up of the bowlers likely the only selection debate. In the five tests played at Hagley Oval, spinners have only taken two wickets in 73 overs, with the Black Caps' predicted seam options – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme – taking 86 of the 92 wickets the Black Caps have claimed at the ground.
That history of seam success provides a chance for Matt Henry to be added into an all-seam attack, but it's likely the reliable spin of Ajaz Patel will be retained to provide greater variety.
McMillan predicts the wicket should provide plenty for the seamers, especially early in the test.
"You know what you're going to get at Hagley – it generally has pace and bounce, which is something we're always looking for – it suits the bowlers, suits the batsmen, and provides good cricket.
"History says generally you win the toss here and you bowl, but there's been plenty of times where we haven't won the toss and we've had to bat first. Quite often that first session is crucial, especially if the sun's out and there's a bit of wind about; it can actually be a very good batting track later in the day.
"It will be challenging for that first session - and that will be the key."
