Prabath Jayasuriya played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka‘s 63-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Galle on Monday (September 23). His left-arm spin proved to be the decisive factor, as he took nine wickets across both innings, including a crucial five-wicket haul in the second innings. Jayasuriya’s performance, particularly on the final day, sealed the win for Sri Lanka, wrapping up New Zealand’s second innings for 211, leaving them short of the 275-run target.

The final day at Galle: Breaking New Zealand’s resistance

New Zealand resumed the Day 5 needing just 68 runs to win with two wickets in hand. However, Jayasuriya quickly crushed their hopes. His first major breakthrough came when he trapped the overnight batter, Rachin Ravindra, leg-before-wicket for 92. Ravindra, who had kept New Zealand alive with a resilient knock on Day 4, was outdone by Jayasuriya’s precision, This crucial dismissal signaled the beginning of the end for the Black Caps. In Jayasuriya’s very next over, he bowled the last man, William O’Rourke, for a duck, securing Sri Lanka’s hard-fought victory in just 3.4 overs on the fifth day.

Rachin Ravindra (69.3): Jayasuriya gets the much-needed breakthrough for Sri Lanka by dismissing the well-set Ravindra, who was nearing a century. Tossed up on middle and leg, it’s an arm ball that Ravindra misreads, playing down the wrong line. The umpire gives it out LBW after a lengthy consideration, and despite Ravindra’s review, the decision stands as the ball was pitching in line. Ravindra departs for 92 off 168 balls, leaving New Zealand at 209/9.
William O’Rourke (71.4): Jayasuriya wraps up the innings with his fifth wicket, delivering a fuller ball from wide of the crease on off-stump. It straightens, and O’Rourke, playing for the line, misses it as the ball clips the top of off-stump. This wicket seals a five-wicket haul for Jayasuriya, ending New Zealand’s innings at 211.

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Prabath Jayasuriya’s match-winning spell

Jayasuriya’s second-innings figures of 5/68 in 30.4 overs highlighted his dominance throughout the match. His spell on Day 4 had already wrecked New Zealand’s top and middle order, claiming the prized wickets of star players Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell and Glenn Phillips.

Kane Williamson (16.2): Jayasuriya outfoxes Williamson, who was using his feet confidently throughout the innings. Anticipating Williamson’s charge, Jayasuriya pulls his length back slightly, causing the batter to miss. The ball turns past the edge, and Mendis completes a neat stumping. Williamson is dismissed for 30 runs off 46 balls, leaving New Zealand at 51/2.
Tom Blundell (46.1): Jayasuriya strikes again with his consistent strategy of bowling over the wicket. Blundell attempts a premeditated reverse sweep to a delivery tossed outside leg but misses. The ball spins sharply into the stumps, sending Blundell back for 30 off 43 balls, reducing New Zealand to 152/5.
Glenn Phillips (51.5): With clever balling, Jayasuriya dismisses Phillips. A sharp ball catches Phillips’ edge as he attempts to defend, and it’s taken cleanly by Kusal Mendis at head height. Phillips departs for 4 runs from 14 balls, leaving New Zealand at 171/6.

Here’s the video: 

Prabath Jayasuriya rips through New Zealand and bags the Player of the Match 🎯🌟#SonySportsNetwork #SLvNZ #PrabathJayasuriya pic.twitter.com/6OQIjvoWLf

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 23, 2024

Jayasuriya’s impressive stats for Sri Lanka

This stellar performance marked Jayasuriya’s eighth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Across the match, he picked up nine wickets, adding to his career tally of 88 wickets in just 15 Tests at an impressive average of 29.27. Notably, 13 of his wickets have now come against New Zealand, underlining his knack for troubling the Black Caps’ batters

Earlier Sri Lanka posted 305 in their first innings, with Kamindu Mendis scoring a century, while New Zealand responded with 340, thanks to fifties from Latham, Williamson and Daryl Mitchell. In Sri Lanka’s second essay, Dimuth Karunaratne’s 83 helped the hosts set New Zealand a target of 275. Ajaz Patel was the standout bowler for the Black Caps, taking six wickets in Sri Lanka’s second innings. Despite a valiant fight from New Zealand, including Ravindra’s 92, they were bowled out for 211, with Jayasuriya’s nine wickets leading Sri Lanka to a memorable win.

Also READ: Twitter reactions: Rachin Ravindra’s brave effort falls short as Prabath Jayasuriya seals win for Sri Lanka over New Zealand in the 1st Test

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