In the second Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand, Sri Lanka asserted their dominance, leaving the Blackcaps struggling to stay afloat. With a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after a comprehensive victory in the first Test, the hosts are in prime position to secure a series sweep.

Sri Lanka’s spin wizard, Prabath Jayasuriya, has been at the heart of the Blackcaps’ misery, continuing his remarkable form from the first Test. Jayasuriya, who claimed 9 wickets in the series opener, was the star once again, picking up 6 crucial wickets in New Zealand’s first innings, reducing the visitors to a paltry 88 runs.

Prabath Jayasuriya’s magic strikes again

Jayasuriya wasted no time getting into the action, striking early in the 9th over of New Zealand’s first innings. Devon Conway was the first to fall, controversially given out after a review. Jayasuriya’s delivery skidded on straight, squared Conway up, and found the outside edge before being smartly caught by Dhananjaya de Silva at slip. Although Conway reviewed the on-field decision, the third umpire upheld the call, dismissing him for 9 runs (off 21 balls).

The second wicket followed shortly after, with New Zealand’s stalwart Kane Williamson falling to a classic spinner’s trap in the 17th over. Playing with uncharacteristically hard hands, Williamson edged a delivery from Jayasuriya straight into the hands of Dhananjaya, who gleefully accepted the catch. Williamson’s cautious 7 from 53 deliveries wasn’t enough to withstand Jayasuriya’s relentless accuracy.

The wickets continued to tumble, with Tom Blundell departing in the 27th over, caught yet again by Dhananjaya, whose reflex catch at slip left Blundell stunned. In the very same over, Glenn Phillips fell for a duck, edging another turning delivery into Dhananjaya’s safe hands. With four wickets down, New Zealand was in tatters, thanks to Jayasuriya’s brilliant bowling and Dhananjaya’s flawless slip-catching.

By the 31st over, the carnage continued as Daryl Mitchell, attempting a big shot to ease pressure, mistimed his lofted drive and was caught by Angelo Mathews at long-on, gifting Jayasuriya his five-wicket haul. The collapse was completed in the 33rd over when Tim Southee edged a sharp turning ball, resulting in a fifth catch for Dhananjaya and a sixth wicket for Jayasuriya. The Blackcaps were all-out for a mere 88 in their first innings, with no answer to Jayasuriya’s magic.

Here is the video:

New Zealand’s tormentor-in-chief wreaks havoc 💫@PrabathJayasur2 grabs 6️⃣ wickets in an incredible bowling display to derail the Kiwis 🤯#SonySportsNetwork #SLvNZ

PS. Don’t miss out Dhananjaya de Silva’s 5️⃣ catches as well 🧐 pic.twitter.com/YuvpPYhVMG

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 28, 2024

Also READ: Sri Lanka goes all guns blazing against New Zealand enforcing a follow on in the second Test

Sri Lanka’s batting masterclass

Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted an imposing 602/5 declared in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, and Kusal Mendis. The trio’s stellar performances, combined with aggressive stroke play, left New Zealand with a monumental task of chasing down a massive deficit.

Trailing by 514 runs, New Zealand was forced to follow on. As the match progressed into the third day, the visitors managed to put up a slightly better fight in their second innings. At the close of play, due to bad light and weather, New Zealand was 119/5 after 41 overs, still trailing by a daunting 315 runs. Jayasuriya continued to torment the Blackcaps, with Sri Lanka’s spinners once again looking dangerous on a turning Galle pitch.

Also READ: SL vs NZ: Netizens react as Kusal Mendis hits a stunning century on Day 2 of the second Test in Galle

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