Sri Lanka stormed to a series victory against New Zealand, securing the two-match Test series with a tremendous innings and 154-run win on the fourth day at the Galle International Stadium.
This victory, marks Sri Lanka’s most dominant and their first win against New Zealand in 15 years.
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, was named Player of the Series after a heroic performance, claiming 18 wickets across the two matches.
Kamindu Mendis was awarded Man of the Match honors for his unbeaten 182, setting up Sri Lanka’s mammoth total of 602-5 declared, which chiseled his name in history, joining the great Sir Don Bradman as the third joint-fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs.
Jayasuriya took nine wickets in the first Test and another nine wickets in the second test as New Zealand’s batters struggled against Sri Lanka’s spin attack. Debutant Nishan Peiris also chipped in with nine wickets of his own, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
“We discussed the need to score big in the first innings. That has been something that has been worrying us for a while. Glad we rectified that this innings,” said Sri Lanka captain Dananjaya de Silva.
“The spinners were superb. They kept creating pressure and didn’t allow New Zealand to get away with things. It was a superb display. That’s how we want to compete in home conditions, dominate the opposition from ball one,” he added.
New Zealand was all out for an insignificant 88 in their first innings, showing a bit more fight in their second innings, posting 360, their highest total of the tour.
Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner all contributed half-centuries in the second innings, but it wasn’t enough to challenge Sri Lanka’s dominance.
Resuming at 199-5 on the fourth day, New Zealand lost three wickets before lunch. Despite Sri Lanka’s fielding lapses, dropping three catches, eventually after lunch. Jayasuriya removed Ajaz Patel and Peiris took the final scalp of Santner, stumped by Kusal Mendis, sealing the series win for Sri Lanka.
“We had our moments in the series, but disappointed with the end result,” said New Zealand captain Tim Southee. “That morning session on day three when we lost nine wickets was very disappointing.
“There were dropped catches and missed stumpings as well in the Sri Lankan innings and in these conditions when you don’t hold onto those chances it is very difficult.”
With this victory, Sri Lanka has now won three consecutive test matches and strengthened their chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June.
