GALLE, Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs on day four of the second Test in Galle, completing a 2-0 sweep of the series. The visitors were bowled out for 360 in their second innings after being forced to follow on, following their dismal first-innings total of 88.
Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Nishan Peiris dominated the match, taking 18 wickets between them. Peiris, in his first Test match, was particularly impressive, claiming five wickets in New Zealand’s second innings. He dismissed key batsman Tom Blundell, who scored 60, and later took the crucial wicket of Glenn Phillips, who made a gritty 78.
Despite a 64-run partnership between Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel, New Zealand couldn’t avoid the innings defeat. Sri Lanka had earlier declared at 602-5 in their first innings, setting a formidable target that New Zealand failed to match.
Sri Lanka’s victory secured their first Test series win against New Zealand since 2009, marking a significant milestone for the team. Despite New Zealand’s efforts, including a few dropped catches by Sri Lanka, the visitors have yet to win a Test at Galle in five attempts.
