Jayasuriya leads Sri Lanka to victory over NZ in 1st Test

In a thrilling first Test match held in Galle, Sri Lanka triumphed over New Zealand by 63 runs, thanks to a remarkable performance by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. He achieved a match-changing five-wicket haul in the second innings, taking his overall wicket tally to nine. New Zealand began the final day needing 68 runs to win but faltered, adding only four runs before Sri Lanka's bowlers wrapped up the match in just 3.4 overs. Rachin Ravindra, who had been New Zealand's hope with a score of 91, fell short of a century, being dismissed for 92, which is now the highest score by a New Zealand player in Galle. His dismissal marked a turning point, as Jayasuriya's next over saw him bowl out the last man, sealing the victory for Sri Lanka. This match was significant for both teams, as it impacted their standings in the World Test Championship. Sri Lanka's win elevated them to third place in the standings, while New Zealand dropped to fourth after starting the series in third position. The match showcased strong performances from both sides, with New Zealand's pacer William O'Rourke taking eight wickets in his debut Test in Asia. However, the inability to break a crucial partnership between Sri Lankan batsmen proved detrimental to New Zealand's chances. The teams will remain in Galle for the second Test, which begins on Thursday. Sri Lanka aims to secure its first Test series victory against New Zealand since 2009, a significant goal considering their past encounters, where New Zealand has dominated with four series wins and two draws since then.