Sri Lanka’s Big Win Over New Zealand Boosts Their ICC World Championship Standings
Galle, Sri Lanka – September 29: Sri Lanka achieved a stunning 2-0 series win over New Zealand, with a massive victory by an innings and 154 runs in the second Test at Galle. This win has pushed Sri Lanka up to number three in the ICC World Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings.
Now, Sri Lanka has five wins and four losses in nine Tests, with a point percentage (PCT) of 55.56 percent. They are close to Australia, which is in second place with a PCT of 62.50 after eight wins, three losses, and a draw in 12 Tests. India is at the top with seven wins, two losses, and a draw, holding a PCT of 71.67. New Zealand has slipped to seventh place with three wins and five losses in eight Tests, with a PCT of 37.50.
Sri Lanka has four Tests left: two against South Africa away from home in November-December this year and two home Tests against Australia in January-February next year. To make it to the top two, Sri Lanka must finish with a PCT higher than either India or Australia. Overtaking Australia would be easier since they are below India in the table, and playing Tests against Sri Lanka would help the island nation impact the point percentage if they win the series.
Match Highlights
Sri Lanka opted to bat first, with centuries from Dinesh Chandimal (116), Kamindu Mendis (182), and Kusal Mendis (106) pushing them to 602/5 declared in the first innings. Glenn Phillips was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand with 3/141.
New Zealand struggled on a spin-friendly surface, getting bowled out for just 88 runs in 39.5 overs. Spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took 6/42, and Nishan Peiris picked up 3/33 in his debut Test. Sri Lanka led by 514 runs, the fifth-highest ever first-inning lead in Test cricket history.
In their second innings, New Zealand fared slightly better, with Devon Conway (61), Kane Williamson (46), and Tom Blundell (47*) contributing to a total of 199/5 by the end of day three. On the fourth day, half-centuries from Blundell (60), Glenn Phillips (78), and Mitchell Santner (67) helped New Zealand reach 360, but they still lost by an innings and 154 runs.
In the second innings, Peiris took a six-wicket haul, getting his six scalps for 170 runs in 33.4 overs. Prabath got three wickets, and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva also chipped in with a wicket. Kamindu Mendis was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance, and Prabath Jayasuriya took home the ‘Player of the Series’ honor for taking 18 wickets in the series.
Brief Scores
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | 602/5 (Kamindu Mendis 182, Dinesh Chandimal 116, Glenn Phillips 3/141) |
| New Zealand | 88 and 360 (Glenn Phillips 78, Mitchell Santner 67, Nishan Peiris 6/170) |
Sri Lanka won by an innings and 154 runs.
Doubts Revealed
Sri Lanka -: Sri Lanka is a small island country located in the Indian Ocean, just south of India.
New Zealand -: New Zealand is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, known for its beautiful landscapes and strong cricket team.
ICC World Championship -: The ICC World Championship is a cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) where teams from different countries compete to be the best.
Galle -: Galle is a city in Sri Lanka known for its historic fort and cricket stadium where international matches are played.
innings -: In cricket, an innings is a period in which one team bats and tries to score runs while the other team bowls and fields.
centuries -: In cricket, a century is when a player scores 100 or more runs in a single innings.
Prabath Jayasuriya -: Prabath Jayasuriya is a Sri Lankan cricketer known for his excellent bowling skills.
Nishan Peiris -: Nishan Peiris is another Sri Lankan cricketer who is also known for his bowling abilities.
South Africa -: South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa, known for its strong cricket team.
Australia -: Australia is a large country and continent located in the Southern Hemisphere, also known for having one of the best cricket teams in the world.