Galle: Sri Lanka demonstrated significant progress in the World Test Championship Standings following their 63-run victory over the inaugural WTC champions, New Zealand, in the first Test match at Galle on Monday.
Sri Lanka managed to secure the game on the final day of the first Test with minimal effort. As the match approached its conclusion, with two wickets remaining, lead spinner Prabath Jayasuriya exhibited exceptional skill, securing two wickets and securing Sri Lanka's position in the third spot in the WTC standings.
With India and Australia leading the pack, Sri Lanka now possess the most favorable opportunity to challenge the finalists of the 2023 World Test Championship for a place in the 2025 final at Lord's.
The 63-run victory over the Black Caps in Galle marks their fourth win in eight matches. This achievement has propelled Sri Lanka to the third spot with a point percentage of 50 percent. They are now in a position to achieve the best possible percentage of 69.23 percent by winning their remaining Test matches.
To secure this and a chance to compete for the title, Sri Lanka must achieve a victory over New Zealand in their next encounter, secure a clean sweep of South Africa, and win two matches against Australia in a series.
Sri Lanka's captain, Dhananjaya De Silva's strategic decision to not utilize the additional half-hour on day four to bowl out New Zealand allowed his team to rejuvenate their attack, leading to the dismissal of Rachin Ravindra early on the fifth morning.
Ravindra's momentum faltered, and he was out to Prabath Jayasuriya for 92 while attempting to chase 275. Jayasuriya concluded the match with an impressive five-wicket haul, claiming William O'Rourke for a six-ball duck, and was awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding performance. Jayasuriya ended the opening Test with figures of 9/204.
The opening sequence of the series commenced with Sri Lanka choosing to bat following their victory in the toss. Kamindu Mendis emerged as a standout performer for the hosts, delivering an impressive knock of 114. His exceptional batting skills significantly contributed to Sri Lanka's score of 305.
In response, New Zealand successfully posted a score of 340, securing a 35-run lead over their opponents. Tom Latham was the leading batsman for New Zealand, scoring a commendable 70, while Kane Williamson offered solid support with his 55 runs from 104 deliveries.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal stepped up to the challenge, playing pivotal roles in Sri Lanka's defense, guiding their team to a respectable 275-run total. Despite their efforts, New Zealand was unable to match this score, ultimately leading to their defeat.
