The Sri Lankan cricketers smarting after their innings defeat with more than a day to spare had a determined workout here and flew out vowing to avenge their defeat in Hamilton where the Second Test begins on Friday.
''What happened in Carisbrook is a closed chapter. We have put that defeat behind us and we will be an altogether different opposition in Hamilton,'' said skipper Ranatunga who was disappointed with the result in Carisbrook.
The Kiwis who went down to England two _ nil in a three-Test series before fronting up to the Lankans, were overjoyed with their victory.
Stephen Fleming at 23, the youngest New Zealand captain, when he was appointed against England in the third Test in Christchurch, said that had he won the toss, he would have put Sri Lanka in, but believed his team would have performed better and dominated.
At a post-match press conference he said they would have bowled and done it a lot better than the Sri Lankan bowlers.
Fleming said that for far too long the Kiwis had been judged on the performance of the opposition rather than their own merits.
He said that they must forget about Sri Lanka and see how well his side performed.
''For a long time we've looked at the opposition and judged ourselves on their performance.'' He said that their excellent performance put the Lankans away, because we did not give them a chance to get into the game.
''Sri Lanka are a good side, but we did not let them play,'' he said.
Fleming paid a glowing tribute to opening batsman Bryan Young who scored a career best 267 not out. He also complimented his team for batting well and bowling extremely well.
As for the Sri Lankan batsmen they must believe in themselves and get in line before launching out into strokeplay. Many of the batsmen were out chasing at width balls which they could have well left alone.
The Sri Lankans have played before in Hamilton and it is hoped that they will settle down to the conditions there and play true to ability.
The win against Sri Lanka was New Zealand's seventh by an innings or more, its first at home since they beat Pakistan at Christchurch in 1994, and its 35th in Test history.