Sri Lanka Crushes New Zealand in Dominant Series Sweep. At Galle International Stadium on September 29, 2024, Sri Lanka easily defeated New Zealand in the second Test by an innings and 154 runs. Sri Lanka improved their status in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings and finished the series with a 2-0 thumping of the opposition.
Sri Lanka’s Massive Opening inning
After deciding to bat first, Sri Lanka had a masterful batting display, declaring at a commanding 602/5. Kamindu Mendis led the charge with an unbeaten 182, with centuries from Kusal Mendis (106) and Dinesh Chandimal (116). The three played a critical role in establishing the hosts in a dominant position.
On a wicket that appeared to significantly favor the batsmen, New Zealand’s bowlers were unable to muster any breakthroughs. Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner did their best, but Sri Lanka won the day handily.
New Zealand’s Collapse
In reply, New Zealand was bowled out for just 88 runs after suffering severe errors in their opening inning. Prabath Jayasuriya, a left-arm spinner from Sri Lanka, was too strong for the Black Caps, taking six wickets for just 42 runs. With 3 wickets for 33 runs, his partner Nishan Peiris also had a great performance. Due to their incapacity to form alliances, circumstances soon compelled New Zealand to play catch-up and move forward.
Brief Resistance in the Second Innings
The top order in New Zealand then put up some fight, with significant scores coming from Devon Conway (61), Tom Blundell (60), Glenn Phillips (78), and Mitchell Santner (67). Despite their efforts, they finally bowled Sri Lanka for 360, still falling short by 154 runs of Sri Lanka’s enormous first-inning total.
In the second inning, Jayasuriya spearheaded the bowling attack once more, and Peiris, making his debut, contributed with key breakthroughs that demonstrated Sri Lanka’s potent spin unit.
