Sri Lanka’s first test victory over New Zealand at Galle on September 24, 2024, highlighted the incredible prowess of left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who took five wickets on the final day to deliver a crucial win. His performance continues the legacy of Sri Lanka’s rich history of dominant spinners, echoing the success of past legends like Rangana Herath and Sanath Jayasuriya, though in vastly different roles.
The result solidified Sri Lanka’s dominance at the Galle International Stadium, a ground known for its spin-friendly wickets, where visiting teams often struggle. For New Zealand, this was a hard-fought loss, particularly given the individual heroics of Rachin Ravindra and William O'Rourke. But it was Prabath Jayasuriya’s disciplined bowling that stole the show, proving decisive for Sri Lanka.
The Spin of Victory: Prabath Jayasuriya’s Heroics
Prabath Jayasuriya, a left-arm orthodox spinner, claimed five wickets in the second innings, finishing with figures of 5-68, while his match total of nine wickets sealed his man-of-the-match status. His bowling broke New Zealand’s stubborn resistance on a turning pitch, where their hopes of chasing down 275 were dashed for just 211 runs. Jayasuriya’s success continues a tradition of spinners dominating in Galle, where bowlers like Rangana Herath before him have become nightmares for visiting teams.
"At Galle, it's all about sticking to the basics," Jayasuriya remarked after the match. "The pitch offers plenty of support, so it's crucial to bowl with discipline. Consistency is key, and I had great support from the other spinners throughout the game."
This humility belied the critical role he played in Sri Lanka’s success. Jayasuriya had been clinical in the second innings, and his final blow came when he dismissed William O'Rourke, bowling him for a duck, and sealing the victory.
Rachin Ravindra’s Lone Battle Falls Short
For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra’s 92 was a brave, lone battle. He ended the fourth day with hopes alive for the Black Caps, but Jayasuriya trapped him lbw early on the fifth morning, effectively shutting the door on New Zealand’s chase. Despite reviewing the decision, Ravindra was forced to depart, adding just one run to his overnight total. His knock, though in vain, was the highest score by a New Zealander at Galle, surpassing Ross Taylor’s 89 in 2019.
It was a disappointing conclusion to Ravindra’s fine innings, as his departure left New Zealand with little resistance to offer against Sri Lanka’s potent spin attack.
William O’Rourke: A Bright Spot in Defeat
Despite the loss, New Zealand found cause for optimism in the performance of 23-year-old William O’Rourke, who impressed with eight wickets in the match. His five-wicket haul in Sri Lanka’s first innings, achieved in just his third Test appearance, was a remarkable effort given the conditions that favored spin over pace bowling.
"William O'Rourke has been brilliant for us," said New Zealand skipper Tim Southee. He's never played in conditions like these... when there is not much for pace bowling. His effort was sensational."
O’Rourke’s success mirrored that of New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel, who claimed 6-90 in Sri Lanka’s second innings, the best figures by a New Zealand bowler in Sri Lanka since Daniel Vettori’s 6-64 in 1998. Yet despite these individual achievements, New Zealand's inability to build a more substantial lead in the first innings, where they finished with 277 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 317, ultimately cost them the match.
A Familiar Struggle for New Zealand in Galle
The Galle pitch has long been a nemesis for touring teams, particularly those like New Zealand, who rely more on pace than spin. The Black Caps have now lost all five of their Test matches played at this venue. The sharp turn and bounce, coupled with Sri Lanka's disciplined bowling, made life extremely difficult for the visitors.
Skipper Tim Southee acknowledged the disappointment: "We had the game in the hand, but we threw it away." Despite putting up a fight on the final day, the lack of a significant first-innings lead haunted the visitors. The absence of a proper warm-up match due to their washed-out game against Afghanistan earlier in September likely didn’t help their cause either.
Nevertheless, the contributions of Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell, who all scored half-centuries in the first innings, will be seen as positives as New Zealand prepares for the second and final Test of the series.
What’s Next for Sri Lanka and New Zealand?
With the second Test scheduled at the same venue from Thursday, both teams have little time to adjust. Sri Lanka will be looking to build on their strong showing, particularly with their spinners growing in confidence. For New Zealand, the challenge remains overcoming the spin threat that Galle presents, while hoping their pacers, especially O’Rourke, can continue their impressive form.
New Zealand’s fight on the fifth day of their first Test in six months, after a lengthy break and limited preparation, gives hope that they can come back stronger. But unless they find a way to combat Sri Lanka's spinners more effectively, another tough contest lies ahead.
The second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is scheduled to start on September 26, 2024, at Galle International Stadium, the same venue as the first Test. After their first Test defeat, New Zealand will be looking to bounce back, while Sri Lanka aims to continue their momentum. Sri Lanka made a key change by replacing Vishwa Fernando, who was ruled out due to injury, with uncapped spinner Nishan Peiris​ - Cricket Times. The rest of the squads are expected to remain largely unchanged from the first match.
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