SL vs NZ, 2nd Test: Sri Lanka beats New Zealand by innings and 154 runs to sweep series
New Zealand, having managed only 88 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 602-5 declared, was all out for 360 in its second innings after being made to follow on.
Published : Sep 29, 2024 13:38 IST - 2 MINS READ
Sri Lanka won the series 2-0 against New Zealand. | Photo Credit: AP
Sri Lanka clinched its biggest Test victory over New Zealand on Sunday, prevailing by an innings and 154 runs in the second Test in Galle to complete a 2-0 series sweep.
New Zealand, having managed only 88 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 602-5 declared, was all out for 360 in its second innings after being made to follow on.
Glenn Phillips (78), Devon Conway (61), Tom Blundell (60) and Mitchell Santner (67) made half-centuries, but New Zealand could not make Sri Lanka bat again.
For the host, spinners Nishan Peiris (6-170) and Prabath Jayasuriya (3-139) impressed with the ball.
Kamindu Mendis, whose unbeaten 182 powered Sri Lanka to a massive total in the first innings, was adjudged player of the match.
Left-arm spinner Jayasuriya bagged the player of the series award for finishing the series with 18 wickets.
“We discussed the need to score big in the first innings. That has been something that has been worrying us for a while. Glad we rectified that this innings,” said Sri Lanka captain Dananjaya de Silva.
“The spinners were superb. They kept creating pressure and didn’t allow New Zealand to get away with things. It was a superb display. That’s how we want to compete in home conditions, dominate the opposition from ball one,” he added.
With this victory, Sri Lanka has now won three consecutive test matches and bolstered its hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June.
“We had our moments in the series, but disappointed with the end result,” said New Zealand captain Tim Southee. “That morning session on day three when we lost nine wickets was very disappointing.
“There were dropped catches and missed stumpings as well in the Sri Lankan innings and in these conditions when you don’t hold onto those chances it is very difficult.”