Sri Lanka clinched a remarkable 63-run victory against New Zealand in the opening test in Galle, largely thanks to Prabath Jayasuriya’s match-winning five-wicket haul.
The left-arm spinner played a pivotal role in dismantling New Zealand’s batting lineup, sealing a crucial win for Sri Lanka in their pursuit of a 1-0 lead in the two-match test series.
Set a target of 275, New Zealand faltered, bowled out for 211, despite a valiant effort from Rachin Ravindra, who top-scored with 92.
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Jayasuriya, who finished with figures of 5 for 68 in the second innings and a match total of nine wickets, was rightfully named Man of the Match for his consistent and disciplined bowling on a turning Galle pitch.
His crucial breakthroughs on the final day cemented Sri Lanka’s victory, leaving New Zealand with no room to recover.
“The key was sticking to the basics on a pitch like this,” Jayasuriya said after the match. “The wicket provided plenty of assistance for spinners, so consistency was important. I had great support from the other spinners as well, which made a huge difference.”
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Jayasuriya’s standout moment came early on the final morning when he trapped Rachin Ravindra lbw, ending the promising batter’s innings and effectively shutting down New Zealand’s hopes of chasing down the target.
Ravindra, who had battled brilliantly on the previous day, added only one more run to his overnight score before falling victim to Jayasuriya’s lethal spin.
His knock of 92 was the highest score by a New Zealander at Galle, surpassing Ross Taylor’s 89 in 2019.
Ravindra’s innings stood out as the only significant resistance from the New Zealand side on a challenging pitch.
His composure and skill in handling the turning ball were commendable, especially given New Zealand’s poor track record at Galle, where they had lost all four previous test matches before this encounter.
Ravindra’s determination gave New Zealand a glimmer of hope as they headed into the final day with a slim chance of pulling off an unlikely win.
However, his dismissal by Jayasuriya was the final nail in the coffin, leaving New Zealand’s lower order with too much to do.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee was visibly disappointed after the match, acknowledging his team’s failure to build on their first-innings lead. “We had the game in hand but threw it away,” Southee admitted during the post-match press conference.
The Black Caps’ inability to capitalize on key moments ultimately cost them, especially as they struggled against the Sri Lankan spinners on a deteriorating pitch.
Despite the loss, there were some positives for New Zealand, most notably the performance of 23-year-old fast bowler William O’Rourke.
In just his third test match, O’Rourke delivered an outstanding performance, claiming eight wickets across both innings, including a five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka’s first innings.
“William O’Rourke was sensational,” Southee said, praising the young pacer’s efforts in conditions that heavily favored spin bowling. “For him to come here and do what he did, especially on a pitch like this where there’s little help for pace bowlers, was absolutely brilliant.”
Sri Lanka’s spin attack was the difference-maker in this test match, with Jayasuriya leading the way.
The Galle pitch, renowned for aiding spin bowling, once again lived up to its reputation, as both teams’ slower bowlers enjoyed success throughout the match.
While Jayasuriya was the standout, he was ably supported by Ramesh Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, who kept the pressure on New Zealand’s batters throughout.
Ajaz Patel, New Zealand’s left-arm spinner, also put in a commendable performance, claiming 6 for 90 in Sri Lanka’s second innings.
His figures were the best by a New Zealand bowler in Sri Lanka since Daniel Vettori’s 6 for 64 in Colombo in 1998.
However, Patel’s efforts were ultimately in vain, as the visitors couldn’t muster enough runs to challenge Sri Lanka’s target.
