• Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand in the second Test to capture the series 2-0.

  • Kamindu Mendis bagged the Player of the Match for his brilliant batting performance.

Fans react as Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peris help Sri Lanka whitewash New Zealand in the Test series
Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in the 2nd Test (Image Source: X)

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Sri Lanka completed an emphatic 2-0 Test series whitewash over New Zealand, showcasing their all-around brilliance with bat and ball. The hosts dominated both Tests, and in particular, put on a clinical display in the second match, with Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya and Nishan Peiris delivering standout performances. Fans took to social media to praise Sri Lanka’s commanding performance, hailing the emergence of new stars and a solid all-around effort.

Sri Lanka’s batting fires on all cylinders

Winning the toss and electing to bat first in the second Test, Sri Lanka laid down an imposing foundation with an impressive first-innings score of 602 runs. Kamindu, Kusal Mendis, and Dinesh Chandimal all shone with magnificent centuries, showcasing the depth and resilience in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Kamindu continued his dream run, reaching 1000 Test runs in just 13 innings, joining an elite club of cricketers who have reached this milestone so quickly. His consistency at the crease and ability to anchor the innings have made him a key player for Sri Lanka going forward.

The support from Chandimal and Kusal further strengthened Sri Lanka’s position in the game, and the top-order batters ensured that the home side was in complete control right from the beginning. The huge first-innings total put New Zealand under immense pressure, setting the stage for the bowlers to take over.

New Zealand’s collapse under pressure in first innings

In reply, New Zealand’s batting lineup faltered badly, folding for a mere 88 runs in their first innings. The visitors struggled to adapt to the turning track, with Sri Lankan bowlers exploiting every weakness. Jayasuriya was instrumental in dismantling the New Zealand batting order, picking up a five-wicket haul that left the visitors in tatters. His ability to turn the ball and keep the batters guessing was on full display, as he continued to be a vital asset for the Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Nishan also played a key role, complementing Jayasuriya’s efforts with consistent and accurate bowling. His contributions were crucial in ensuring New Zealand had no opportunity to recover from the early setbacks. The Kiwi batters, unable to find answers to Sri Lanka’s spin dominance, succumbed to panic and poor shot selection, which only added to their woes.

Follow-on and improved resistance from New Zealand

With New Zealand’s first-innings collapse, Sri Lanka enforced the follow-on without hesitation. The visitors, however, showed better application in their second innings, determined to put up a fight and avoid an innings defeat. Opener Devon Conway led the resistance with an aggressive approach, scoring valuable runs at the top to help New Zealand put up a more competitive fight.

Despite Conway’s efforts, wickets continued to fall at regular intervals, and it looked like New Zealand might face yet another collapse. However, Glenn Phillips and Tom Blundell displayed grit and patience, forging a vital partnership that offered some hope for the visitors. Rain and bad light forced an early end to play on Day 4, giving New Zealand a brief respite.

When play resumed on Day 5, Mitchell Santner showed resilience with the bat, scoring a fighting half-century that pushed the game into the second session. Santner’s determined innings, along with support from the lower order, gave New Zealand a chance to prolong the match. However, Nishan emerged as the hero for Sri Lanka, claiming six wickets in the second innings to wrap up the New Zealand resistance. Nishan’s impressive performance with the ball highlighted his potential as an emerging star in Sri Lankan cricket, as he consistently troubled the Kiwi batters with his variations and accuracy.

Also WATCH: SL vs NZ – Prabath Jayasuriya’s spin masterclass helps Sri Lanka dominate New Zealand in the second Test

Sri Lanka’s takeaways and New Zealand’s concerns

The series win provided several positives for Sri Lanka, including the emergence of new talents and the depth in both their batting and bowling departments. Kamindu’s stellar form with the bat is a promising sign for Sri Lanka’s future, as he continues to establish himself as a reliable run-scorer. The spin bowling department, led by Jayasuriya and supported by Nishan, proved to be a potent weapon in home conditions, causing significant problems for the New Zealand batters. Jayasuriya’s consistency and Nishan’s rise have given Sri Lanka a formidable spin duo capable of challenging any team, especially on turning tracks.

On the other hand, New Zealand has much to ponder as they prepare for their upcoming three-match Test series in India. Their batting lineup struggled to cope with the spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka, and the challenge will only intensify when they face India. The Kiwi batters will need to find ways to improve their technique against quality spin, as their inability to build partnerships and counter the turning ball was evident throughout the series. The team’s management will need to work on addressing these weaknesses quickly if they hope to be competitive in India.

Fans celebrate Sri Lanka’s whitewash victory

Following the 2-0 series win, Sri Lankan fans took to social media to celebrate the team’s dominant performance. Many praised Kamindu for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure, while others highlighted the exceptional performances of Jayasuriya and Nishan, who proved instrumental in securing the series win. The convincing nature of the victory has raised hopes among fans about Sri Lanka’s potential to perform well in upcoming challenges.

Meanwhile, New Zealand supporters expressed their concerns over the team’s batting struggles and the need for significant improvements ahead of their next assignment in India. The series highlighted key areas for the Kiwis to work on, particularly their ability to handle spin in challenging conditions.

Here is how fans reacted:

Also READ: Sri Lanka Cricket announces the schedule for the home white-ball series against the West Indies

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About the Author:
AKSHAT GAUR
Akshat is the Sr. Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Akshat has honed his skills over 6 years, working with various media outlets, publications, and organizations to deliver high-quality content that informs, educates, and entertains audiences. He is just another cricket fan who’s grown up watching the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Cricket runs in his veins. Cover drive is his favorite sight, and a ball meeting the middle of the bat is his favorite sound. You can write to him at akshat.gaur@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin.