Sri Lanka Whitewash New Zealand with Dominant Win in Second Test, Secure First Series Victory in 15 Years
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| Sri Lanka have won the 2nd Test against New Zealand by an Innings and 154 runs. Its the first series win for Sri Lanka against New Zealand in 15 years. / Getty |
In a commanding display of cricket, Sri Lanka completed a 2-0 series sweep over New Zealand with an emphatic victory by an innings and 154 runs in the second Test at Colombo. Led by Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka showcased their dominance in all departments throughout the match, marking their first Test series win against New Zealand in 15 years.
A victory to the hosts by an innings & 154 runs after lunch on day 4 of the 2nd Test in Galle. They claim the series 2-0. Scoring | https://t.co/95L7AvreDq #SLvNZ 📷 = SLC pic.twitter.com/tcm5cgkMcL
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 29, 2024
Sri Lanka’s Batting Masterclass
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Sri Lanka took full advantage of a batting-friendly surface on the first two days. Despite the early dismissal of opener Pathum Nissanka for just 1, Sri Lanka’s middle-order responded in spectacular fashion.
Dinesh Chandimal set the tone at No. 3 with a superb 116 off 208 balls, anchoring the innings after the early setback. The in-form Kamindu Mendis was once again the star for Sri Lanka, continuing his remarkable run of form this year. He remained unbeaten on a masterful 182*, while Kusal Mendis added a brisk 106* off 149 balls. Together, Kamindu and Kusal put on a massive 200-run partnership for the 6th wicket, propelling Sri Lanka to a mammoth 602/5 declared after 163.4 overs.
For New Zealand, Glenn Phillips (3/141) was the most successful bowler, but the Kiwi attack struggled against the disciplined and aggressive Sri Lankan batting.
New Zealand Crumble Under Spin Pressure
In response, New Zealand faced a tough task with 14 overs to negotiate late on Day 2. However, they lost both openers cheaply, finishing the day at 22/2. Sri Lankan spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Nishan Peiris were relentless on the third morning, dismantling New Zealand for just 88 runs in their first innings. Jayasuriya claimed 6/42, securing his 9th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as the Kiwi batters found no answers to the spin assault.
Trailing by a massive 514 runs, New Zealand were forced to follow on.
New Zealand’s Fight in the Follow-On
New Zealand’s batters showed more intent in their second innings, attacking the Sri Lankan spinners with a positive approach. Devon Conway (61), Kane Williamson (46), and Tom Blundell (60) all made promising starts but failed to convert, leaving New Zealand still in a precarious position.
The lower order offered some resistance as Glenn Phillips (78) and Mitchell Santner (67) battled through the first session of Day 4, reducing the deficit significantly. However, the inevitable collapse came after lunch as the spin duo of Nishan Peiris and Prabath Jayasuriya cleaned up the tail. Peiris, who had an extraordinary debut, finished with figures of 6/170 in the second innings, giving him 9 wickets in the match. Jayasuriya added 3 more wickets to his tally, finishing with 9 wickets across both innings.
New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 360, handing Sri Lanka a crushing victory by an innings and 154 runs.
A Historic Series Victory for Sri Lanka
With this win, Sri Lanka sealed a 2-0 series triumph, their first Test series win against New Zealand in 15 years. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva’s leadership, combined with stellar performances from the spinners and the middle-order batsmen, paved the way for this historic whitewash. Sri Lanka’s dominance in the series was underscored by their ability to control the game with both bat and ball, leaving New Zealand with no room for recovery.
As Sri Lanka celebrate this memorable win, New Zealand will return to the drawing board, reflecting on a series in which they were thoroughly outclassed.