Sri Lanka registered a thrilling victory against New Zealand in the first Test of a two-match series by 63 runs at the Galle International Stadium on Monday, September 23. The hero of the match for Sri Lanka was Prabath Jayasuriya, who took 9 wickets in the match. including four wickets in the first innings and five wickets in the second innings. He was adjudged player for his remarkable bowling performance throughout the Test match, guiding Sri Lanka to a win against the Kiwis.
Chasing a target of 275 runs in the fourth innings, Rachin Ravindra played as a lone warrior for New Zealand with his innings of 92 runs off 168 balls before he was dismissed by Prabath Jayasuriya in the 70th over. After that, the left-arm spinner took the wicket of Will O'Rourke in the 72nd over to wrap up New Zealand’s innings as they were bowled out for 211 runs in the first session of day five. The left-arm spinner took five wickets in the second innings by conceding 68 runs in 30.4 overs.
Rachin Ravindra’s fighting knock goes in vain in first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle
For the unversed, New Zealand took a lead of 35 runs in the first innings with Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Daryll Mitchell scoring half-centuries despite Kamindu Mendis' hundred for Sri Lanka. After that, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 309 runs in the second innings, giving New Zealand a target of 275 runs to win. For Sri Lanka, Dimuth Karunaratne top scored in the second innings with 83(127), an innings which included six boundaries. Apart from that, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Matthews also scored half-centuries in the second innings as Sri Lanka’s lead went beyond 250 runs.
In pursuit of a tricky 275-run on a wearing pitch in Galle, New Zealand lost their first two wickets for 51 runs. After that, Rachin Ravindra took charge of the innings with wickets falling regularly at the other end. The left-hander fell short of just eight runs from his second Test hundred as he got out after scoring 92 runs. After a few overs, New Zealand lost their last wicket in the form of Will O'Rourke as Sri Lanka registered a famous win to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series.
