Nishan Peiris, Sri Lanka’s debut off-spinner, claimed six wickets in the second Test, securing the team’s first series victory over New Zealand in 15 years by an innings and 154 runs.
In a devastating victory by an innings and 154 runs in the second Test in Galle on Sunday, debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris claimed six wickets to secure Sri Lanka’s first series win against New Zealand in fifteen years. On day four, after being asked to follow on, New Zealand were all out for 360 in their second innings prior to tea. Following the hosts’ massive 602-5 declaration, Peiris, 27, and fellow spinner Prabath Jayasuriya shared 18 wickets in the first innings, with the latter grabbing 6-42 to bowl out the tourists for just 88.
After restarting at 199-5, New Zealand’s lower order responded with half-centuries from Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner.
Peiris, who had three second-innings wickets on Saturday, caught Blundell lbw for 60 early in the opening session, breaking a 95-run partnership with Phillips.
Santner contributed to a 64-run stand for the seventh wicket before the fearless Phillips went on 78 when he mistimed a drive to long-on, giving Peiris his first five-wicket haul.
Before Ajaz Patel was dismissed by Jayasuriya on 22, Santner and the latter built established a resolute 53-run partnership at the ninth wicket.
Santner’s tenacious resistance was eventually ended when Kusal Mendis stumped him for 67 off Peiris, giving Sri Lanka the win.
If it weren’t for several dropped catches in the morning session, Sri Lanka could have concluded the match and series.
Patel was spilled on two by Kamindu Mendis at the second slip, and Santner was let off on 36 in the covers. Shortly thereafter, Peiris fired off another opportunity from Santner.The series victory for Sri Lanka over New Zealand is their first since a 2-0 victory at home in 2009. They won the opening game by a margin of 63 runs.
After six Test matches at Galle, New Zealand is now without a victory; their highest innings score there on Sunday was 360.
