Prabath Jayasuriya claims his eighth Test fifer: Key stats
Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was instrumental to Sri Lanka's 63-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test in Galle. Jayasuriya's impressive five-wicket haul led to New Zealand being bowled out for 211, falling short of their target of 275. The match ended less than 15 minutes after play resumed on Day 5, with Rachin Ravindra top-scoring on 92 for the Black Caps. Here are further details.
Jayasuriya ended Ravindra's resistance on Day 5
New Zealand faced a daunting task of scoring 68 runs on the final morning. However, their hopes were quickly dashed as Jayasuriya trapped set batter Ravindra early on. This wicket marked a significant turning point in the game, with Sri Lanka taking just 29 balls to wrap up the match thereafter. Star batters Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips were his victims on Day 4.
Jayasuriya's 9-wicket haul
Jayasuriya, who claimed nine wickets across the match and finished the second innings with figures of 5-68 in 30.4 overs, brought the match to an end by dismissing rookie quick William O'Rourke for a duck. As per ESPNcricinfo, this was his eighth Test fifer as he has raced to 88 wickets in 15 Tests at 29.27. Jayasuriya claimed 4/136 in his first outing. 13 of his wickets have come against NZ at 32.92.
Summary of the match
Riding on Kamindu Mendis's century, SL posted 305/10 batting first as William O'Rourke claimed a fifer. NZ posted 340/10 in response thanks to fifties from Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell. Dimuth Karunaratne's 83 powered SL to 309/10 in their second outing. Ajaz Patel dismissed six batters. Chasing 275 for win, NZ fought well but eventually bundled out for 211.
