‘Very Tough’ - Tim Southee reflects on New Zealand’s Test series loss to Sri Lanka

New Zealand suffered a hefty loss against Sri Lanka in the second Test of their series. The first Test was won by Sri Lanka as well after a stunning performance in Galle and the hosts followed it up with another good showing, clinching the two-game series. 

The series ended in disappointment for the visitors and New Zealand skipper Tim Southee took centre stage and reflected on his side’s performance in the Test series. 

Southee admitted that Sri Lanka is a tough place to tour for New Zealand after they suffered their first series loss to them since 2009. In the second Test, Sri Lanka managed to defeat New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs. 

“Very tough, on the wrong side of a tough one. But this is a tough place to come. I think in this match it was a lot harder, but in the first game we could have pushed on a bit harder. Need to go home, regroup and go again. India is very similar to this part of the world,” Southee said in the post-match press conference. 

Kamindu Mendis receives Player of the Match award in second Test

Speaking of the game, the second Test in Galle began with Sri Lanka coming in to bat first. Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne scored 116 and 46 runs, respectively, with Angelo Mathews adding 88 runs on the board, alongside Kamindu Mendis who went unbeaten on a score of 182 runs in 250 deliveries. In the first innings, Sri Lanka posted a total of 602 runs, declaring their innings. 

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With such a massive total on the board, Sri Lanka limited New Zealand to a total of 88 runs in the first innings, and as the visitors followed on, they scored 360 runs in the second innings, and lost the game by an innings and 154 runs. After the game, Kamindu Mendis won the Player of the Match for his excellent knock of 182 runs in the first innings.