With a convincing 2-0 series victory against New Zealand, Sri Lanka maintained their remarkable run in Test cricket and increased their prospects of finishing in the top two of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. One of the hosts’ greatest Test victories ever came in the second match, an innings and 154-run victory at Galle, following a 63-run victory in the first Test.
With their win percentage up to 55.56% thanks to this convincing victory, Sri Lanka is still in the running for a position in the WTC final. In the current World Test Championship rankings, Australia and India hold the top two spots, with Sri Lanka placed third. The Sri Lankans must place higher than Australia or India to advance to the final. India tops the table, while Australia is more precarious because of their PCT (points percentage) of 62.50 as opposed to Sri Lanka’s 55.56.
Sri Lanka’s Strong Comeback
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy match between Australia and India might be very important because the outcome will directly affect Sri Lanka’s chances. However, New Zealand dropped to seventh place in the rankings after losing the series. After eight games and only three victories, their PCT is currently 37.50, although the Black Caps started the series in third place.
Without a doubt, Sri Lanka outperformed them in both matches. They made a valiant effort to catch up in the second innings of the last Test, scoring 335 runs, but their dismal first-inning score of 88 put them far behind. Off-spinner Nishan Peiris, making his debut, was crucial to Sri Lanka’s historic victory in the second Test, taking six wickets.
Prabath Jayasuriya, on the other hand, was declared Player of the Series in light of Sri Lanka’s potent spin attack with his 18 wickets at an average of 21.38. The next two Tests Sri Lanka will play in the WTC are two on the road in November and December against South Africa and two on home in January and February against Australia. Their prospects of reaching the WTC final for the first time would increase if they swept these matches and raised their win percentage to 69.23%.
New Zealand’s Tough Road
As for New Zealand, they’ll have to get back into shape fast since they have a difficult tour of India. Their chances of finishing in the top two in the WTC are now decreasing, and to get back up the standings, they will need to play well in the remaining games. After Santner’s tenacious fight was defeated, Kusal Mendis stumped him for 67 off Peiris to seal the victory for Sri Lanka.
Without a string of lost catches, Sri Lanka might have concluded the match and series in the morning session. Sri Lanka won the first match by 63 runs, and the series victory is their first against New Zealand since a 2-0 triumph at home in 2009. The loss means New Zealand is winless in six Tests at Galle, with Sunday’s 360 their best innings score at the site. Sri Lanka has now won three consecutive test matches, increasing its chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord‘s in June.
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