Sri Lanka outplay New Zealand by 10 wickets in Galle Test

By Fathima Zanaida

GALLE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 19, 2012: Left-arm off-spinner Rangana Herath claimed 11 wickets as Sri Lanka mauled New Zealand by 10 wickets in the first Test played at Galle International Stadium on Monday.

New Zealand were bowled out for 118 runs in their second innings, thus giving only 93 runs target for victory which the home side achieved without any loss as openers raced to target from 18.3 overs.

The match could last for less than three days as the pitch always offered something for both seamers and spinners as New Zealand were bowled out for 221 runs in their first innings before their bowlers pulled up their socks to restrict Sri Lanka to 247 runs in their first innings.

However, the match changed completely on third day when New Zealand started at 35 for one but the whole team was bundled out for only 118 runs just after lunch break.

Sri Lankan debutant Dimuth Karunaratne played exceptionally well to remain not out at 60 while Tharanga Paranavitana scored 31 not out as the hosts accomplished the meager target with over two days to spare.

This is the fifth straight loss for New Zealand in Test cricket after losing two matches each to West Indies and India.

Rangana Herath was declared Man of the Match for super bowling performance as he told the presentation party, “I enjoy bowling here. I stick to the basics. I saw on (that I was the leading wicket-taker in 2012)”.

Losing skipper Ross Taylor said, "Herath put us under pressure all the while. The way schedules are these days it can't be helped (lack of warm-ups). The new ball bowlers bowled exceptionally well. The partnership between Angelo and Mahela took the game away. I'm sure there will be a couple of changes before the next Test, but we will have to see the wicket."

Winning captain Mahela Jayawardene said, “He (Herath) has taken a lot of responsibility. This morning he showed a lot of control with the ball and kept the pressure on. It's a great venue and I enjoy batting here. When Dilshan is fit he will walk straight into the side, positive to see Dimuth bat. Happy with the young talent but it's a work in progress."

The second Test will be played at the P Sara Oval on Sunday.

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Jayawardene, Mathews give Sri Lanka first innings lead over Kiwis

By Fathima Zanaida

GALLE, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 18, 2012: Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene (91) and all-rounder Angelo Mathews (79) helped Sri Lanka to take a slender 26 runs first innings lead over New Zealand in first Test at Galle International Stadium on Sunday.

Mahela Jayawardene scored 91 runs and missed out on a Test century for sixth time in his Test career of which three nervous nineties came against New Zealand. Angelo Mathews scored 79 runs.

Responding to New Zealand’s first innings total of 221 runs, Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 247 runs.

New Zealand scored 35 for one in their second innings and led Sri Lanka by only nine runs at stumps on day two.

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Sri Lanka name squads for BlackCaps ODIs, Tests

A common sight from Sri Lanka these days

By Fathima Zanaida

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (TheSportsNEXT) November 9, 2012: The Sri Lanka Cricket has announced squads for the remainder of the One Day International series as well as the succeeding Test series against New Zealand on Friday.

As per the Sri Lanka Cricket press release issued here the Minister has also accorded his approval to the squads.

The squads were finalized in an SLC Selection Committee meeting held in Colombo on Friday morning.

Sri Lanka’s squad for the fourth and fifth One Day Internationals to be played at Hambantota includes Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Angelo Mathews (Vice Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Upul Tharanga, Rangana Herath, Akila Dhanajaya, and P.H.T Kaushal.

Sri Lanka’s squad for the Test series against BlackCaps includes Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Angelo Mathews (Vice Captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Tharanga Paranawithana, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Prassanna Jayawardane, P.H.T Kaushal, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welagedara, Shaminda Eranga, and Dhammika Prasad.

Sri Lanka are leading the five-match One Day International series against New Zealand by 2-0 after three matches as one of the first three matches was completely washed out while the other two games were decided on the infamous Duckworth-Lewis Method.

The One-dayers will be followed by a two-match Test series with first match will be played at Galle from November 17-21, 2012 while Colombo will host the second test from November 25-29, 2012.

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