Sri Lanka claimed an impressive 63-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Galle International Stadium, driven by a spectacular performance from left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who secured a crucial five-wicket haul. Jayasuriya’s expert bowling brought an end to New Zealand’s innings in the opening minutes of the final day, dismissing the visitors for 211 as they chased a target of 275.
Jayasuriya (5-68) continued his remarkable record on the Galle pitch, earning his eighth five-wicket haul, seven of which have come at this venue. His game-changing moment occurred when he trapped New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra lbw for a hard-fought 92, a knock that featured nine boundaries and a six. Ravindra’s valiant efforts kept New Zealand in the match, but their hopes of victory faded when Jayasuriya struck, wrapping up the innings in just two overs.
New Zealand began the final day needing 68 runs with only two wickets in hand, but their slim chances were quickly extinguished. In the second over, Jayasuriya ended Ravindra’s gritty resistance, and followed it up by bowling William O’Rourke with a deceptive arm ball, sealing the win for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva praised his team’s recent performances, attributing their success to a confidence boost following their Test victory in England earlier this month. “The boys are delivering now,” he said, expressing his pride in the team’s ability to consistently perform in challenging conditions.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee acknowledged the challenging nature of playing in Galle but remained positive about his team’s efforts. “It’s a tough place to play, but we competed well throughout the Test. Unfortunately, we ended up on the losing side, but there are plenty of positives to take from this game,” Southee remarked.
Jayasuriya’s match haul of nine wickets earned him the Player of the Match award, while fellow spinner Ramesh Mendis provided crucial support, taking three second-innings wickets. Reflecting on his outstanding performance, Jayasuriya said, “I love bowling on this Galle pitch. It suits my style of bowling, and I just focus on maintaining a consistent line and length to get the best results.”
With the first Test secured, Sri Lanka will be eager to carry this momentum into the second and final match of the series, which is also set to take place in Galle, starting on Thursday. The victory has not only given Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the series but also boosted their confidence for future challenges, as they continue to show their strength in home conditions.
Source: News Agencies