Sri Lanka rises to third in WTC standings after crushing series win over New Zealand

September 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has secured a dominant 2-0 series victory over New Zealand, capped off by a commanding win by an innings and 154 runs in the second Test at Galle.

This triumph has propelled the island nation to third place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings.

Following this series, Sri Lanka’s record stands at five wins and four losses across nine matches, giving them a points percentage (PCT) of 55.56.

This places them just behind Australia, which holds second place with a PCT of 62.50, having recorded eight wins, three losses, and a draw in 12 Tests.

India remains at the top, with seven victories, two losses, and a draw, boasting a PCT of 71.67.

New Zealand, on the other hand, has tumbled down to seventh place, with three wins and five losses in eight Tests, holding a PCT of 37.50.

Sri Lanka’s path to the top two remains challenging but not impossible. The team has four more Tests remaining in this WTC cycle—two away against South Africa later this year, and two home matches against Australia early next year.

To secure a place in the WTC final, Sri Lanka must surpass the points percentage of either India or Australia.

Winning the home series against Australia could significantly impact their chances, as victories would directly affect Australia’s standing.

In the second Test, Sri Lanka elected to bat first, posting an imposing total of 602/5 declared after nearly two days at the crease.

Centuries came from Dinesh Chandimal (116), Kamindu Mendis (182), and Kusal Mendis (106), with Kamindu’s knock being particularly impressive. New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/141.

New Zealand’s response with the bat faltered dramatically. On a pitch favouring spinners, the Kiwis managed a meagre 88 in their first innings, with Mitchell Santner’s 29 being the highest contribution.

Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was exceptional once again, claiming 6/42, while debutant Nishan Peiris also impressed with 3/33.

Sri Lanka’s mammoth lead of 514 runs placed them in a commanding position, with the first-innings lead ranking as the fifth-largest in Test history.

New Zealand showed some resilience in their second innings, with Devon Conway (61), Kane Williamson (46), and Tom Blundell (47*) among the runs. The Kiwis ended the third day at 199/5, still trailing by 315 runs.

The fourth day saw fighting half-centuries from Blundell (60), Glenn Phillips (78), and Santner (67), but these efforts merely delayed the inevitable. Sri Lanka bowled New Zealand out for 360, sealing victory by an innings and 154 runs.

Peiris took a second-innings six-wicket haul, ending with figures of 6/170, while Jayasuriya added three more wickets to his tally. Kamindu Mendis was named Player of the Match for his outstanding innings, while Jayasuriya earned the Player of the Series award, having taken 18 wickets across both Tests.

This resounding win has bolstered Sri Lanka’s WTC campaign, and with key series ahead, the team will be hopeful of securing a place in the final.