Jayasuriya didn’t disappoint as he managed to let the team grab New Zealand’s innings in a span of only four overs in the final day of the Test match held in Galle. Both the wickets were scalped by him, the bowler.
This sort of quick dismissal not only focused on his budding career but also helped Sri Lanka achieve a great deal in this particular match gaining the upper hand in every aspect courtesy of the home advantage and uplifting the spirit of the team as well.
Prabath Jayasuriya, the left-arm spinner used only two of his bowling overs to wrap the New Zealand tail and finished with a five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka emerged winners by 63 runs in the first Test at Galle International Stadium.
With the target being 275 for new zealand, they managed to chase a mere 211 all out with only Rachin Ravindra scoring 92 runs in their only inning while batting on Monday as the pitch offered intense turn and low bounce in favor of the bowlers.
In Jayasuriya’s eighth five-wicket haul on this occasion he ended with figures of 5 for 68 in this test match. What is amazing is that he has accounted for seven of these within the walls of Galle.
This performance is not just exemplary of his capability but also earns respect to the impressive bowler from the Lions Den, Galle.
“A win in England strengthened our confidence,” home captain Dhananjaya de Silva said, referring to the Test match in London earlier this month which they won against the hosts at The Ovals.
“We are in a position to win Tests and now the boys are beginning to put that potential into practice,” which echoes a growing faith in the team’s capabilities of success. New Zealand commenced their final innings with the target of sixty-eight, aiming for the wickets scanty of two, but Sri Lanka needed only four overs to gaze up in victory and Sri Lanka won it.
New Zealand’s slender chances went up in smoke with two overs gone today when Jayasuriya brought an end to Ravindra’s innings that had consisted of nine boundaries and a single six.
The lbw decision, however, was something the batter didn’t want to accept and in an act of desperation reviewed the decision. Soft news option overturning decision First and foremost, the replays were stern in the fact that Ravindra was directly in front and left no room for the possibility of being in error unlike the umpire.
Sinha Jayasuriya bowled William O’Rourke in his very next over and therefore handed Sri Lanka the victory by straying in an arm ball which made the batter move forward to defend in vain. Sri Lanka won the match. “Tough place to come but a good Test match throughout,’ Tim Southee, New Zealand Captain added.
“While it’s frustrating to lose, there are so many lessons we take away and it’s worth noting that we are disappointed to finish on that side of the result. We showed character and ability in all three phases of the match, and this is a quality that we should be able to carry into the next games and work on enhancing our performance, as well as take the chances within the games.”
His nine-wicket haul during the match earned Jayasuriya the player of the match award and Ramesh Mendis picked up three wickets in the second innings.
“This Galle pitch is to my liking,” expressed Jayasuriya.
“My main focus? Bowl with reliable line and length to get outcomes.”
The upcoming second Test also happens in Galle, this Thursday.