Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 5: Prabath Jayasuriya Leads Hosts to 63-Run Victory in Galle
Sri Lanka secured a thrilling 63-run victory over New Zealand on the final morning of the first Test at Galle, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the star of the day, claiming five wickets to bowl out New Zealand for 211, after they were set a target of 275.
Resuming play on Day 5 at 205/9, New Zealand’s hopes rested on Rachin Ravindra, who fought valiantly to reach 92, top-scoring for his team. However, his lone resistance came to an end less than 15 minutes into the day as Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis wrapped up the game on a sharply turning pitch.
New Zealand’s Fightback Falls Short
The Black Caps had shown resilience throughout the game, with Ravindra standing out on the challenging surface. His innings kept New Zealand in contention, but the team was ultimately unable to build the partnerships needed to chase down the target. Despite his valiant effort, Ravindra received little support from the lower order, allowing Sri Lanka to dominate with their spin attack.
Skipper Tim Southee praised his team’s fighting spirit but acknowledged that losing the last five wickets cheaply in the first innings played a key role in their defeat. However, the first innings collapse cost us,” said Southee.
Sri Lanka’s Comprehensive Win
Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, lauded his team’s efforts, particularly the crucial partnership between Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne, which played a pivotal role in building a competitive third-innings total.
We still have areas to improve, especially getting more runs from the lower order, but the boys delivered when it mattered most,” de Silva stated.
Jayasuriya Shines with the Ball
The standout performer of the match was undoubtedly Prabath Jayasuriya, whose five-wicket haul sealed the win for Sri Lanka. His consistent ability to hit the right lengths on a turning track proved too much for the New Zealand batters. Jayasuriya was named Player of the Match for his match-winning spell, saying, “I just stick to the basics and focus on hitting the right lines. I love bowling here in Galle.”
Ramesh Mendis also made valuable contributions, combining with Jayasuriya to claim eight wickets between them in New Zealand’s second innings.
Key Contributions from Sri Lanka’s Batsmen
Sri Lanka’s batting was led by Kamindu Mendis, who scored a crucial century in the first innings after the hosts found themselves in trouble at 106/4. His ton, along with valuable contributions from other middle-order batsmen, helped Sri Lanka post a competitive total of 300.
In the third innings, Chandimal and Angelo Mathews displayed their experience, setting up a target of 275 for New Zealand. However, the visitors’ bowler, Ajaz Patel, showcased his skill by taking six wickets and restricting Sri Lanka’s lead.
Looking Ahead
Sri Lanka team now heads up the 2nd Test with the unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. The final Test will be played on Thursday, September 26, with the game set to start at 4.30 AM GMT.
This exciting victory in Galle sets the tone for what promises to be another thrilling encounter as New Zealand looks to bounce back, and Sri Lanka aims to complete a series sweep.
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