Day 3 of the second Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand is underway at the Galle International Stadium, and the visitors have endured a humiliating batting collapse. They were bowled out for just 88 runs, marking their lowest Test total on Sri Lankan soil.
Sri Lanka, having batted first, posted a mammoth 602 before declaring their innings. While Dinesh Chandimal contributed a fine century, it was Kamindu Mendis who shone brightest with an unbeaten 182 from 250 balls, anchoring Sri Lanka’s dominant innings.
New Zealand’s response, however, was disastrous. They lost a wicket in the very first over and never recovered as Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya wreaked havoc. Jayasuriya claimed six wickets, including key dismissals of Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Glenn Phillips. New Zealand’s batters struggled to cope with the spin-friendly conditions at Galle, repeatedly attempting drives that resulted in thick edges, making for easy catches at slip.
The visitors’ 88-run total is now their lowest Test score in Sri Lanka, breaking a 32-year-old record. Their previous low in the country was 102, set back in 1992. In Asia, this is New Zealand’s fifth-lowest Test score, with their worst being 62 against India at Wankhede in 2021.
Sri Lanka, holding a commanding 514-run lead, enforced the follow-on. At the time of writing, New Zealand had already lost a wicket, with Tom Latham again dismissed in the first over. The visitors now face an uphill battle to avoid defeat.
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