Kiwis clinch eight-wicket win over Lanka in Boxing Day Test to go one up in series

New Zealand grabbed an eight wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Hagley Oval to go one up in the two-match series.

It was New Zealand's fifth unprecedented Test win in the year, as they wrapped up the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka. Five times previously New Zealand have won four Tests in a calendar year, but Brendon McCullum's side topped that this year with a win over India, two over the West Indies and wins over Pakistan and now Sri Lanka in Christchurch on Monday.

Sri Lanka resumed batting on Monday before eventually being bowled out for 407 at lunch, with Trent Boult taking 4-100 to move to 34 wickets for the year, one ahead of spearhead partner Tim Southee who took 4-91, Stuff.co.nz reported.

New Zealand were left with a low target of 105 and with five sessions to go on a Hagley Oval pitch showing no signs of getting worse to bat on, it didn't prove much of a challenge.

Ross Taylor joined Kane Williamson at the crease at 43-2 and guided New Zealand to their meagre target sensibly. Williamson ended the Test unbeaten on 31 to take his 2014 total to 929 which puts him second all time behind McCullum's 1164, also from this year.

Taylor remained unbeaten on 39 and ended the game with two well-hit boundaries.

Latham scored 17, but pushed at one from debutant spinner Tharindu Kaushal and was caught at first slip by Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews.

Rutherford was removed by a good ball from Shaminda Eranga.

New Zealand can now not be beaten in the two-match series, which means that they would extend their already record run.

The home side would take all the momentum into the second and final Test in Wellington starting on January 3, the report added.