Sri Lanka seals 1-0 series lead as Prabath Jayasuriya finishes with a fifer
Sri Lanka wasted no time on Monday morning, taking just 22 balls to wrap up the first Test against New Zealand in Galle and secure a 1-0 lead in the series. Prabath Jayasuriya claimed the final two wickets of New Zealand’s innings, completing a five-wicket haul and sealing a 63-run victory for the hosts, reports Live Cricket Score.
New Zealand started the final day needing 68 runs with just two wickets in hand on a deteriorating pitch. Hopes were pinned on Rachin Ravindra, who had navigated the tough conditions well on Day 4, finishing unbeaten on 91 at stumps. However, Sri Lanka quickly dashed those hopes.
In just the second over of the morning, Jayasuriya trapped Ravindra leg-before with a delivery that straightened after pitching on leg stump. A review couldn’t overturn the decision, leaving New Zealand on the brink.
Jayasuriya almost dismissed William O’Rourke a couple of balls later, but Sri Lanka’s review didn’t go in their favour this time. However, the end was inevitable. Two overs later, Jayasuriya beat O’Rourke’s outside edge and had him bowled, clinching the win for Sri Lanka.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 305 & 309 (Dimuth Karunaratne 83; Ajaz Patel 6/90) beat New Zealand 340 & 211 (Rachin Ravindra 92; Prabath Jayasuriya 5/68, Ramesh Mendis 3-83) by 63 runs.
