Twitter Reactions: Sri Lanka topple New Zealand to go 1-0
Sri Lanka won the first Test against New Zealand by 63 runs.
Day 5 of the first Test between hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand at Galle began in a tricky situation for both sides as both the sides had a chance to win, with the tourists needing 68 runs and the island nation needing just two wickets to start the series on a high note.
The Kiwis began their chase from the overnight score of 207/8, with Rachin Ravindra batting on 91 and Ajaz Patel still looking to open his account. While New Zealand's only hope was for Ravindra to save the game, the hosts had other plans. Prabath Jayasuriya, who was handed the bowl in the second over of the day, did not disappoint his skipper and the team as he struck on just his third delivery, picking the big wicket of Ravindra. The southpaw could manage to add just one more run to his previous night's score. His innings of 92, included nine boundaries and one six.
With that wicket, the Dhananjaya de Silva-led side had almost confirmed their victory and were in search of that last wicket. Jayasuriya struck once again, this time dismantling the stumps of William O’Rourke for a six-ball duck.
Eventually, Sri Lanka won by 63 runs and started their two-match Test series on a promising note. Jayasuriya was rightfully named the Player of the Match award for picking nine wickets in the Test. Both sides will now lock horns in the second Test at the same venue, starting from September 26.
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