Galle: Following his remarkable performance, Sri Lanka spinner Prabhat Jayasuriya attributed his success in the first Test match against New Zealand to adhering to fundamental strategies. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in a 63-run triumph over New Zealand at the Galle International Stadium on Monday.
Jayasuriya achieved a notable nine wickets in the first Test match against New Zealand in Galle. His exceptional performance earned him the accolade of 'Player of the Match'.
During the post-match presentation, Jayasuriya emphasized his approach of not experimenting with the ball during the game. He also expressed a fondness for the pitch at the Galle International Stadium, stating, "I prefer this Galle pitch. My strategy is to focus on delivering a consistent line and length with my bowling, which has proven effective."
In the match, Jayasuriya's strategic approach paid off as he claimed an innings five-wicket haul, dismissing William O'Rourke for a six-ball duck, which sealed the match for Sri Lanka. His figures of 9/204 were instrumental in securing the Player of the Match award.
In the opening Test, Sri Lanka chose to bat following their victory in the toss. Kamindu Mendis showcased his prowess with the bat, scoring an impressive 114 runs, which significantly contributed to Sri Lanka's total of 305.
In response, New Zealand put up a formidable fight, managing to post 340 runs and securing a 35-run lead over Sri Lanka. Tom Latham emerged as a standout performer for New Zealand, scoring 70 runs, while Kane Williamson provided solid support with his 55 runs from 104 deliveries.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal stepped up to the challenge, leading Sri Lanka to an innings where they set a target of 275 runs for New Zealand. Despite their best efforts, the Kiwis were unable to chase down the target, falling short by 211 runs.
