Rachin Ravindra's Innings In Vain As Sri Lanka Beat New Zealand By 63 Runs In Galle Test

SL vs NZ 1st Test In Galle: Rachin Ravindra was the lone warrior for New Zealand in the fourth innings as Sri Lanka beat the Kiwis by 63 runs to go 1-0 up in the two-match series.

SL vs NZ, 1st Test: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by 63 runs in the series opener in Galle.

Source : X/@MidnightMusinng

SL vs NZ 1st Test: Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in the 1st Test of the two-match series in Galle on Monday (September 23). In pursuit of 275 in the fourth innings, Blackcaps' Rachin Ravindra made a valiant 92 but his innings went in vain as none of the other Kiwi batters managed to put their hand up with Tom Blundell emerging as the second highest scorer with 30 runs along with Kane Williamson (30) and as many as 7 batters not even managing to breach the double-figure mark.

READ HERE | SL vs NZ 1st Test, Galle: Why Some Sri Lankan Players Will Spend Supposed Day 4 On The Road Owing To 'Rest Day'

However, Ravindra could not single-handedly take his team to win, falling for 92 as he fell prey to Prabath Jayasuriya. Eventually, the tourists got all out for 211, implying a 63-run win for the hosts.

Prabath Jayasuriya’s five-wicket haul scripts a memorable Sri Lanka win over New Zealand 👏

🇱🇰 go up 1-0 in the series 🔥#WTC25 | #SLvNZ 📝: https://t.co/PHqmvlAFRP pic.twitter.com/xGbPuc7B7l

— ICC (@ICC) September 23, 2024

9 Wickets For Prabath Jayasuriya In The Match

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in this fixture, scoring 305 in the first innings with the help of Kamindu Mendis' hundred. New Zealander Will O'Rourke had scalped a fifer in the first innings. In response, the Kiwis scored 340 in the first innings, taking a slender lead. But in the second innings, the hosts put on 309 before dismissing the oppsoition for 211. Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers in the final innings for the Men from The Island Nation as he registered figures of 5/68, getting rid of Ravindra, Williamson, Blundell, Glenn Phillips and O'Rourke.

Having taken a four-wicket haul in the first innings, the left-arm spinner, Jayasuriya bagged the Player Of the Match award. The second Test of the series will commence at the same venue from September 26.