Sri Lanka on Verge of Crushing Victory as New Zealand Falter in Follow-On

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.

Tags: #SriLanka, #NewZealand, #TestCricket, #NishanPeiris, #PrabathJayasuriya