Sri Lanka secured a 63-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Galle, taking a 1-0 lead in the series, thanks to a brilliant performance by spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. It took just 22 balls on the final morning for Sri Lanka to wrap up the game, with Jayasuriya claiming the last two wickets to dismiss New Zealand for 211.

New Zealand entered the final day needing 68 runs to win, with two wickets in hand and Rachin Ravindra unbeaten on 91. However, Jayasuriya quickly ended their hopes by trapping Ravindra leg-before with a delivery that straightened off the leg stump. Despite a review, Ravindra was dismissed, dashing New Zealand’s chances.

Jayasuriya continued to apply pressure and soon dismissed William O’Rourke, sealing his five-wicket haul and the win for Sri Lanka. His figures of 5/68, combined with Ramesh Mendis’ 3/83, were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s triumph.

Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka 305 & 309 (Dimuth Karunaratne 83; Ajaz Patel 6/90)
New Zealand 340 & 211 (Rachin Ravindra 92; Prabath Jayasuriya 5/68, Ramesh Mendis 3/83)

Sri Lanka won by 63 runs.

New Zealand has named pacer Rosemary Mair and off-spinner Leigh Kasperek in their 15-member squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the UAE. Mair returns from a back injury that sidelined her earlier this year, while Kasperek marks her comeback to strengthen the team’s spin attack. This will be Kasperek’s fourth World Cup.

Veterans Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates will be making their ninth appearance in the T20 World Cup, having competed in every edition since 2009. The squad includes only one player, wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze, who has yet to play in a T20 World Cup.

Sophie Devine, who will step down from T20I captaincy after the tournament, expressed her excitement, saying, “The T20 World Cup has been vital for the growth of the women’s game, and I’m thrilled to have been a part of it from the beginning. Competing against top teams is always a great challenge.”

Head coach Ben Sawyer added, “This squad is well-rounded and adaptable to various conditions. Soph and Suze bring invaluable experience, and Rosemary has worked hard to regain fitness after her injury.”

New Zealand Squad for Women’s T20 World Cup:

• Sophie Devine (C)
• Suzie Bates
• Eden Carson
• Izzy Gaze (wk)
• Maddy Green
• Brooke Halliday
• Fran Jonas
• Leigh Kasperek
• Jess Kerr
• Melie Kerr
• Rosemary Mair
• Molly Penfold
• Georgia Plimmer
• Hannah Rowe
• Lea Tahuhu

Before the World Cup, the team will play a three-match T20I series against Australia from September 19 to 24. New Zealand is in Group A alongside Australia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, with their first World Cup match against India on October 4.

New Zealand cricket has made some key additions to their support staff as they gear up for their one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida.

Vikram Rathour, the former India batting coach, has been brought in to help New Zealand’s batsmen. Alongside him, Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka’s legendary left-arm spinner, will join as the spin bowling coach for the Afghanistan Test and the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.

Rathour, who played six Tests for India in the 1990s and later served as a national selector, was part of India’s coaching team led by Rahul Dravid. He stepped down after India’s T20 World Cup victory, and now brings his expertise to New Zealand’s camp.

Herath, considered one of the most successful left-arm spinners in cricket, replaces Saqlain Mushtaq, who was originally set to take the role. Saqlain had to withdraw to join the Pakistan Cricket Board. Herath’s experience will be particularly valuable to New Zealand’s spin bowlers, especially with Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra in the squad.

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed excitement about the new appointments, noting that both Rathour and Herath are highly respected in world cricket.

Stead emphasized how important Herath’s knowledge of subcontinent conditions will be, particularly for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Herath has taken over 100 wickets in Galle, the venue for both matches against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand’s one-off Test against Afghanistan is set to begin on September 9, followed by their first Test against Sri Lanka on September 18. These matches are crucial as part of the World Test Championship, where New Zealand currently holds the third spot.