New Delhi:
Dimuth Karunaratne was dropped on 58 and survived a missed stumping opportunity as the Sri Lankan captain slammed his ninth century to help Sri Lanka get their World Test Championship campaign off to a great start with a six-wicket win against New Zealand in the first Test at Galle on Sunday. Karunaratne's century helped Sri Lanka win a Test against New Zealand for the first time since 2012, having lost seven out of their previous eight meetings against New Zealand.
Chasing a tricky 268, Karunaratne enjoyed a record-equalling opening partnership of 161 with Lahiru Thirimanne. The partnership with Thirimanne equalled the record for the highest opening partnership in Tests between the two countries. In 1991, John Wright and Trevor Franklin had also put on 161 for the first wicket in Hamilton.
The opening stand was pivotal in Sri Lanka achieving the highest successful run chase in Galle, easily surpassing the previous best of 99. Resuming play on 133 for no loss, Sri Lanka required 135 from the remaining three sessions. New Zealand finally got their breakthrough when Thirimanne was trapped leg before by William Somerville. Given not out by umpire Richard Illingworth, New Zealand overturned the decision on review.
Kusal Mendis soon fell after taking on Somerville, hitting him for a four and a six from the second and fourth balls he faced. But when he attempted to slog sweep Ajaz Patel in the next over he ended up hitting straight to midwicket where Jeet Raval completed the catch. Angelo Mathews joined Karunaratne and the pair put on 44 runs for the third wicket to steady the ship. Sri Lanka lost Kusal Perera after Karunaratne's dismissal but Dhananjaya de Silva (14) joined Mathews and helped Sri Lanka knock off the remaining runs with two sessions to spare.
New Zealand will be aiming to make a comeback by winning the second and final Test at the P Sara Oval in Colombo on August 22 as they look to avoid their first series loss since 2016 when they lost 1-0 at home to South Africa.
