Prabath Jayasuriya's nine-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka to defeat New Zealand in the first of the two Tests to just go 1-0 up in the series. Sri Lanka won the first Test match by 63 runs at Galle International Cricket Stadium. With this win Sri Lanka. took a big leap in the points table of the World Test Championship. The Sri Lankan team has reached the third position above New Zealand in the points table. Jayasuriya picked up 5 for 68 in the second innings - his eighth five-wicket haul, and his seventh in Galle. He ended with match figures of 9 for 204.
Rachin Ravindra's hard-fought innings came to an abrupt end on the final morning, as he lasted just eight deliveries before being trapped LBW by Jayasuriya for 92 off 168 balls. Coming around the wicket, Jayasuriya delivered an arm ball that pitched on the leg, catching Ravindra playing down the wrong line. He opted for a review, but with the ball confirmed to be pitching in line, there was no reprieve for him.
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New Zealand failed to register a win despite an early lead
Kamindu Mendis' century and Kusal Mendis' fifty helped Sri Lanka to post 305 runs in the first innings. New Zealand's Will O'Rourke was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand picking up a fifer for 55 runs in 18.5 overs. The Sri Lankan attack did not give much chance to the New Zealand team, which came out to bat, to take a big lead. The Kiwi team made a meagre lead of 35 runs by scoring 340 runs in their first innings.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test match
Sri Lanka will now lock horns against New Zealand for the second Test match which is scheduled to take place at the same venue from 26 to 30 September. After this Test series, New Zealand will travel to India for the three-Test match series before India's tour to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024.
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