Tag: NishanPeiris

Prabath Jayasuriya’s exceptional bowling performance in the second Test against New Zealand was bolstered by the impressive debut of Nishan Peiris, who proved to be a formidable foil.

In the first innings, Jayasuriya claimed five wickets, but his figures of 4 for 136 were hard-earned. However, in the second innings, he secured a customary Galle five-for, thanks to the improved control of his spin colleagues.

Recognizing the need for more consistent support, Sri Lanka replaced Ramesh Mendis with Peiris. The debutant justified his selection on day three, claiming six wickets to match Jayasuriya’s tally.

“When you bowl with him, it’s very easy,” Jayasuriya said of Peiris. “He bowled with a lot of confidence and showed his potential.”

The duo’s combined efforts resulted in 13 New Zealand wickets falling on day three. Jayasuriya’s nagging lines and lengths complemented Peiris’s ability to drift, dip, and turn the ball away from left-handers.

Peiris’s variety was evident in his dismissals of Rachin Ravindra, who was bowled around his legs in the first innings and trapped lbw in the second.

“He gave me a lot of support,” Jayasuriya added. “One bowler usually has to do the holding job, while the other attacks.”

Despite Sri Lanka’s significant advantage, Jayasuriya remains cautious. He acknowledges that New Zealand’s batters are capable of better performances.

“They were on the field for 600 runs and perhaps they were a bit tired,” Jayasuriya said. “But I think they are a good side. Their top order has some experienced players.”

“We cannot take things lightly. What we do in the first hour will be crucial. We just need to bowl good deliveries.”

Sri Lanka’s relentless dominance continued in the second Test against New Zealand, as they closed in on a resounding victory at the Galle International Stadium. The hosts enforced a follow-on after dismissing the tourists for a paltry 88 in their first innings, and New Zealand found themselves in dire straits at stumps on day three, trailing by 303 runs with five wickets remaining.

Tom Blundell (47*) and Glenn Phillips (32*) provided some resistance for the Kiwis, but the Sri Lankan bowlers remained relentless. Debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris played a pivotal role, claiming three top-order wickets to leave New Zealand reeling at 199-5.

Devon Conway, under pressure to retain his place in the side, showed resilience with a gritty 61 off 62 deliveries. He forged a 97-run partnership with former captain Kane Williamson, who contributed 48. However, Conway’s resistance ended when he was lured into a drive by Dinesh Chandimal, who took a spectacular catch at deep cover.

Williamson, ranked second in the world behind England’s Joe Root, also departed after misjudging a shot off Peiris. Ramesh Mendis held onto a tumbling catch at long-on to end Williamson’s innings.

Tom Latham had earlier fallen for a duck, caught by Pathum Nissanka at short leg off Peiris. The off-spinner had also taken three wickets in New Zealand’s first innings, including the prized scalp of Williamson.

Sri Lanka’s dominance was evident in their first innings, where they declared on a mammoth 602-5. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya wreaked havoc in New Zealand’s second innings, claiming 6-42 to take his tally to nine five-wicket hauls.

Jayasuriya needs to dismiss all five remaining New Zealand batsmen to equal the record for the fastest bowler to reach 100 Test wickets, currently held by England’s George Lohmann.