Sri Lanka registered a 63-run victory in the opening Test of the two-match series against New Zealand in Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka needed only two more wickets whilst New Zealand needed 68 runs on Day five, with New Zealand resuming their second innings on 207 for 8.
Sri Lanka didn’t waste anytime as they wrapped up the innings, picking up the last two wickets in 3.4 overs.
New Zealand’s hopes pinned on Rachin Ravindra, but the left-hander was dismissed very early by Prabath Jayasuriya for 92 runs. In his next over, Jayasuriya dismissed New Zealand’s last man William O’Rourke for a duck.
Jayasuriya was Sri Lanka’s standout performer with ball as he managed to claim 5 wickets for 68 runs while Ramesh Mendis claimed 3 wickets for 83 runs.
With this win, Sri Lanka advanced to the third position in the World Test Championship Points Table with 48 points in 8 games.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka – 305 (91.5) Kamindu Mendis 114, Kusal Mendis 50, Will O’Rourke 5/55, Glenn Phillips 2/52
New Zealand – 340 (90.5) Tom Latham 70, Daryl Mitchell 57, Kane Williamson 55, Prabath Jayasuriya 4/136, Ramesh Mendis 3/101, Dhananjaya De Silva 2/31
Sri Lanka (2nd Inn) – 309 (94.2) Dimuth Karunaratne 83, Dinesh Chandimal 61, Angelo Mathews 50, Dhananjaya De Silva 40, Will O’Rourke 3/49, Ajaz Patel 6/90.
New Zealand (2nd Inn) – 211 (71.4) Rachin Ravindra 92, Kane Williamson 30, Tom Blundell 30, Prabath Jayasuriya 5/68, Ramesh Mendis 3/83
Result – Sri Lanka won by 63 runs
