Sri Lanka withstand New Zealand's lower order resistance to seal crushing win

Fighting half-centuries from Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner highlighted New Zealand's improved batting show on Day 4 but the knocks weren't enough to prevent Sri Lanka from sealing a comprehensive innings and 154-run victory in the second Test in Galle. After folding for only 88 in their first innings, New Zealand were asked to follow on and fared far better but their total of 360 all-out still gave Sri Lanka a resounding win as they sealed the series 2-0. With this win, the Lankans have also moved to third on the WTC points table and have a realistic shot at making the final next year.

Debutant Nishan Peiris starred with the ball in the second innings, finishing with 6 for 170 to go with his three wickets in the first essay. Prabath Jayasuriya, who picked up six in the first innings, bagged three in the second.

Blundell went past 50 early in the day after New Zealand resumed on 199/5. Blundell and Phillips extended their partnership to 95 before Peiris struck for the fourth time in the innings. Blundell missed a reverse sweep and was out lbw for a brisk 60, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes. Phillips and Santner then batted positively, dealing in regular boundaries as the wicketkeeper-batter reached his fifty. Phillips also cleared the fence off Dhananjaya de Silva as the seventh wicket partnership extended past 50.

Phillips, however, got carried away and went for one shot too many, ending up handing a catch to long-on to give Peiris his fifth wicket. Tim Southee came out with a positive intent, striking a four and a six off Jayasuriya before getting bowled by the left-arm spinner. Ajaz Patel was dropped in the slip cordon off Peiris soon after which Santner hit a four and a six in an over twice off the offspinner. Ajaz took on Jayasuriya and the bowler was unlucky not to bag the wicket of Santner who was dropped at deep backward square leg. They extended their partnership to 44, having struck six fours and three sixes between them, as they went into Lunch unbeaten.

The partnership crossed 50 and Santner also registered a well-made fifty soon after the lunch break. Ajaz was also put down by Dhananjaya at slip before his stay, and a 53-run stand that lasted for 84 deliveries, finally ended when he was bowled by Jayasuriya attempting a cut. Santner struck a couple of more boundaries and also a six off Peiris before he became the debutant's sixth scalp, stumped for 67, to bring a close to the innings and the match.

Before Sri Lanka's spinners came to the party, the batters did well for the hosts in the first innings. Dinesh Chandimal (116), Kamindu Mendis (182*) and Kusal Mendis (106*) struck hundreds while Angelo Mathews scored 88 to power Sri Lanka to a massive total of 602/5 declared. That total proved beyond New Zealand's reach despite two batting attempts, as the series ended on a disappointing note for the visitors.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 602/5 decl (Kamindu Mendis 182*, Dinesh Chandimal 116, Kusal Mendis 106*; Glenn Phillips 3-141) beat New Zealand 88 (Mitchell Santner 29; Prabath Jayasuriya 6-42, Nishan Peiris 3-33) & 360 f/o (Glenn Phillips 78, Mitchell Santner 67, Devon Conway 61, Tom Blundell 60; Nishan Peiris 6-170, Prabath Jayasuriya 3-139) by an innings & 154 runs.