Sri Lanka prevailed over New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs, achieving a 2-0 series sweep on Sunday in the second Test at Galle. The tourists endured a crushing disappointment, being bowled out for a two-figure score of 88 in response to Sri Lanka’s imposing total of 602-5 declared. Although they fared better in their second innings, reaching 360 all out it still marked their heaviest defeat by the island nation.
Resuming Day 4 at 119-5, the Kiwis lost Tom Blundell early to debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris, who finished with remarkable figures of 6-170. Despite the unfavorable outlook, New Zealand’s lower order showed resilience, with Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner, scoring 60, 78, and 67 runs, respectively. Earlier, opener Devon Conway formed a resilient 97-run second-wicket partnership with Kane Williamson and scored 61 off 62 deliveries, featuring 10 boundaries and one maximum.
Phillips added 64 runs with Santner before being dismissed by Peiris, allowing the Sri Lankan to secure his maiden five-wicket haul. Santner then contributed 53 runs with Ajaz Patel (22) and he was New Zealand’s last batter to be dismissed, stumped off Peiris’s delivery.
Peris had a remarkable Test debut, taking nine wickets in total. Kamindu Mendis, who achieved an unbeaten 182 in Sri Lanka’s first innings was adjudged to the Player of the Match award. Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya emerged as the Player of the Series, bagging a total of 18 wickets.
“Nishan was brilliant. He was doing well in the domestic area. He showed that he has the control and that he can bowl long spells and get the wickets,” Dhananjaya de Silva said of the debutant off-spinner.
The Sri Lankan captain also believed that reshuffling the batting order, with Dinesh Chandimal at number three and followed by Kamindu proved effective for them.
“Kamindu at five can play the long innings and I can finish the game at number six,” he added.
Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Tim Southee acknowledged that they had been completely outsmarted by Sri Lanka.
“It’s very tough to be on the wrong side this week. But it’s a tough place to come for a foreign team, and Sri Lanka played some great cricket,” Southee said.
Achieving their third consecutive Test victory, Sri Lanka climbed to third place in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, behind India and Australia. Meanwhile, New Zealand, the 2021 champions, were dropped to seventh.
SL vs NZ 2nd Test brief score: Sri Lanka 602 for 5 dec (Kamindu 182, Chandimal 116, Kusal 106*, Mathews 88, Phillips 3-141) beat New Zealand 88 (Jayasuriya 6-42, Peiris 3-33) and 360 (Phillips 78, Santner 67, Conway 61, Blundell 60, Peiris 6-170, Jayasuriya 3-139) by an innings and 154 runs
