Prabath Jayasuriya spins Sri Lanka to 1-0 lead

Sri Lanka has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series against New Zealand with a 63-run victory. New Zealand needed 68 runs for victory on the final day, but could only manage 4 runs while losing 2 wickets to Prabath Jayasuriya.

Winning the toss in Galle, Sri Lanka opted to bat first, scoring 305 runs in their first innings, with Kamindu Mendis achieving a century. In response, New Zealand managed to put up 340 runs, taking a 35-run lead thanks to three half-centuries.

In their second innings, Sri Lankan batters scored 309 runs. Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews both contributed with fifties, while Ajaz Patel claimed 6 wickets.

New Zealand was set a target of 275 runs for victory. Historically, no team has chased down that many runs in Galle, yet New Zealand started positively. However, consistent wicket losses hindered their progress.

Rachin Ravindra was the lone fighter for New Zealand, scoring 92 runs before being dismissed. The Kiwis' innings ended at just 211 runs, with Jayasuriya taking a five-wicket haul.

For his impressive performance, Prabath Jayasuriya was named Player of the Match, finishing with a total of 9 wickets across both innings.