340/10 (90.5)
CR : 3.74
305/10 (91.5)
CR : 3.32
Sri Lanka won by 63 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Prabath Jayasuriya
4/136 & 5/680(15) & 11(24)
SL won by 63 runs
10:17 AM IST, Local Time: That's it. Sri Lanka wrap up things very quickly on day five. Prabath Jayasuriya picks up the remaining two wickets and finishes with a fifer as they knock over New Zealand on 211 to win the game by 63 runs. They take an early lead in the two-match series. New Zealand were just not up to the mark with the bat in their second innings and fall short by 63 runs.
Let's have a look at how things unfolded in this Test at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka batted first on winning the toss as every team does here in Galle. Their batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Kamindu Mendis continued his purple patch in Test cricket and notched up a brilliant ton. Kamindu’s 114 to go with Kusal Mendis’ 50 helped Sri Lanka get to 305. William O’Rourke bowled a brilliant spell for New Zealand and registered figures of 5/55.
New Zealand in reply had a decent hit with the bat. Tom Latham (70), Kane Williamson (55) and Daryl Mitchell (57) hit fifties which helped them get closer to Sri Lanka’s first-innings total. Glenn Phillips’ 48-ball 49* helped New Zealand get a lead of 35 before getting knocked over on 340. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis claimed four and three wickets respectively for the hosts.
Dimuth Karunaratne (83), Dinesh Chandimal (61) and Angelo Mathews (50) hit fifties in Sri Lanka’s second innings. New Zealand pulled back things on day four, thanks to Ajaz Patel’s six wickets as they knocked over the Lankans on 309 in 94.2 overs. William O’Rourke also chipped in with three scalps to finish the match with eight wickets to his name.
It was always going to be a daunting task to chase 275. Tom Latham (28), Kane Williamson (30) and Tom Blundell (30) played positively and kept the Kiwis in the hunt. However, Sri Lanka kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. Rachin Ravindra at four refused to give up and was the lone fighter for New Zealand.
At the start of the final day, Ravindra was unbeaten on 91 and New Zealand required 68 more runs to win with two wickets in hand. Prabath Jayasuriya didn't waste any time as he trapped Ravindra on 92 in the second over of the day. He cleaned up William O'Rourke on a duck to pick up his fifth scalp and help his side win the game by 63 runs.
Stick around for the post-match presentation.
Let's have a look at how things unfolded in this Test at the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka batted first on winning the toss as every team does here in Galle. Their batters got starts but failed to convert them into big scores. Kamindu Mendis continued his purple patch in Test cricket and notched up a brilliant ton. Kamindu’s 114 to go with Kusal Mendis’ 50 helped Sri Lanka get to 305. William O’Rourke bowled a brilliant spell for New Zealand and registered figures of 5/55.
New Zealand in reply had a decent hit with the bat. Tom Latham (70), Kane Williamson (55) and Daryl Mitchell (57) hit fifties which helped them get closer to Sri Lanka’s first-innings total. Glenn Phillips’ 48-ball 49* helped New Zealand get a lead of 35 before getting knocked over on 340. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis claimed four and three wickets respectively for the hosts.
Dimuth Karunaratne (83), Dinesh Chandimal (61) and Angelo Mathews (50) hit fifties in Sri Lanka’s second innings. New Zealand pulled back things on day four, thanks to Ajaz Patel’s six wickets as they knocked over the Lankans on 309 in 94.2 overs. William O’Rourke also chipped in with three scalps to finish the match with eight wickets to his name.
It was always going to be a daunting task to chase 275. Tom Latham (28), Kane Williamson (30) and Tom Blundell (30) played positively and kept the Kiwis in the hunt. However, Sri Lanka kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals. Rachin Ravindra at four refused to give up and was the lone fighter for New Zealand.
At the start of the final day, Ravindra was unbeaten on 91 and New Zealand required 68 more runs to win with two wickets in hand. Prabath Jayasuriya didn't waste any time as he trapped Ravindra on 92 in the second over of the day. He cleaned up William O'Rourke on a duck to pick up his fifth scalp and help his side win the game by 63 runs.
Stick around for the post-match presentation.
10:27 AM IST, Local Time: Time for the post-match presentation.
Player of the Match: Prabath Jayasuriya
Prabath Jayasuriya (Player of the Match): "Yeah, normally I do my basic things right. I stick to my basics. I didn’t do experiments during the game.
Yeah, I like this pitch. I just concentrate on bowling consistent line and length. Finally, I got the rewards."
Yeah, I like this pitch. I just concentrate on bowling consistent line and length. Finally, I got the rewards."
Tim Southee (New Zealand Captain): "Good Test match. A tough place to come. But plenty of positives to take from this. Disappointed to finish on the wrong side.
(On William O'Rourke) We were excited for a while. We have had glimpses of him back in New Zealand. To come here and play in this part of the world, he did a great job where nothing was on offer for the seamers. He has got a great future.
We lost five wickets for not many in the first innings. It was a disappointing effort and also we leaked a few more while bowling to the tailenders.
(On how important toss is at Galle?) I think when you come into this part of the world, toss is very important. You have to give yourself a chance to make full use of the batting conditions at the start of the Test match and then use the bowling conditions in the later stage."
(On William O'Rourke) We were excited for a while. We have had glimpses of him back in New Zealand. To come here and play in this part of the world, he did a great job where nothing was on offer for the seamers. He has got a great future.
We lost five wickets for not many in the first innings. It was a disappointing effort and also we leaked a few more while bowling to the tailenders.
(On how important toss is at Galle?) I think when you come into this part of the world, toss is very important. You have to give yourself a chance to make full use of the batting conditions at the start of the Test match and then use the bowling conditions in the later stage."
Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka Captain): “Of course, that win in England boosted our morale. We knew we can get the result if we play our best cricket.
The big partnership always helps to win games in Galle. We did well with both bat and ball in the first innings.
(On bowling against the tailenders) We were talking about it. The stats are showing how much we have to improve while bowling against the tail.
(On his bowling) I wasn’t expecting to bowl when Ramesh was playing. I think I’m bowling well than before. I have that ability to take wickets. I have to use it for the sake of the team.”
The big partnership always helps to win games in Galle. We did well with both bat and ball in the first innings.
(On bowling against the tailenders) We were talking about it. The stats are showing how much we have to improve while bowling against the tail.
(On his bowling) I wasn’t expecting to bowl when Ramesh was playing. I think I’m bowling well than before. I have that ability to take wickets. I have to use it for the sake of the team.”
Most Test wins by a team at a single venue since 2000:
25 – Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, Galle (43 matches)
25 – England at Lord’s, London (48 matches)
20 – South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion (25 matches)
19 – South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town (29 matches)
18 – Australia at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (24 matches)
25 – Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium, Galle (43 matches)
25 – England at Lord’s, London (48 matches)
20 – South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion (25 matches)
19 – South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town (29 matches)
18 – Australia at Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (24 matches)
That brings an end to our coverage for this game. The second and final Test begins at the same venue on Thursday (September 26). Till then, keep joining us for more cricketing action all around the globe. For now, this is, Akshay Bhide, signing off, on behalf of scorer Bishal Mandal. Bye bye.