Sri Lanka Secures 63-Run Victory Over New Zealand in Galle Test
Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya led his team to a thrilling 63-run win against New Zealand on the final morning of the first Test in Galle. Jayasuriya’s stellar bowling performance, where he took five wickets, sealed the victory, bowling out New Zealand for 211 in their second innings.
Set a target of 275 to win, New Zealand’s hopes rested on Rachin Ravindra, who top-scored with 92. However, Jayasuriya ended Ravindra’s resilient knock, trapping him lbw early on the fifth day. Despite a review, Ravindra was dismissed after adding just one run to his overnight total. His 92 was the highest score by a New Zealand player at Galle, surpassing Ross Taylor’s 89 from 2019.
Jayasuriya, named Player of the Match for his nine wickets across the game, was modest about his performance. “When you come to Galle, you just need to stick to the basics. The pitch provides a lot of assistance for spinners, and discipline is key. I had great support from the other spinners as well,” he said.
The Black Caps, who have historically struggled at Galle, were fighting an uphill battle on a turning pitch. Ravindra was one of the few bright spots for New Zealand, but his dismissal left the visitors with a slim chance of victory. The Sri Lankan spinners, led by Jayasuriya, kept the pressure on, with Ramesh Mendis also chipping in with three wickets.
New Zealand’s captain, Tim Southee, expressed disappointment with the result, stating, “We didn’t build a big enough lead in the first innings. We had control but let it slip away.”
Despite the loss, New Zealand’s 23-year-old pacer William O’Rourke impressed with eight wickets in the match, including his second five-wicket haul in just three Test appearances. “William has been outstanding. For him to perform like this in conditions that don’t favor pace bowlers is remarkable,” said Southee.
Match Summary:
- Sri Lanka 1st innings: 305 all out
- New Zealand 1st innings: 340 all out
- Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 309 all out
- New Zealand 2nd innings: 211 all out
Prabath Jayasuriya’s five for 68 in the second innings secured the win for Sri Lanka. The Black Caps showed fight but ultimately fell short on a challenging pitch, with Sri Lanka winning by 63 runs.
Player of the Match: Prabath Jayasuriya
This victory marks another successful Test outing for Sri Lanka at Galle, with their spinners once again proving decisive on home soil.
