Sri Lanka crush New Zealand to clinch historic series win

GALLE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka stormed to a series victory over New Zealand, securing the two-match test series with a resounding innings and 154-run triumph on the fourth day in Galle on Sunday.

This victory, Sri Lanka’s most dominant over the Kiwis, also marks their first win against New Zealand in 15 years.

The hero of the games, left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, was named Player of the Series after a masterful performance, claiming 18 wickets across the two matches.

Meanwhile, Kamindu Mendis took home Man of the Match honours for his unbeaten 182, anchoring Sri Lanka’s colossal total of 602-5 declared.

With this knock, Mendis etched his name in history, joining the great Sir Don Bradman as the third joint-fastest player to reach 1,000 test runs.

Jayasuriya, who took nine wickets in the first test, was at his best again, snaring another nine wickets in the second test as New Zealand’s batters struggled to cope with Sri Lanka’s spin-heavy attack. Debutant Nishan Peiris was the perfect foil, chipping in with nine wickets of his own, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings.

“We discussed the need to score big in the first innings. That has been something that has been worrying us for a while. Glad we rectified that this innings,” said Sri Lanka captain Dananjaya de Silva.

“The spinners were superb. They kept creating pressure and didn’t allow New Zealand to get away with things. It was a superb display. That’s how we want to compete in home conditions, dominate the opposition from ball one,” he added.

New Zealand’s woes began early, bundled out for a paltry 88 in their first innings. Forced to follow on, the Kiwis showed more fight in their second innings, posting 360 – their highest total of the tour and in Galle – but it was too little, too late.

Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner all contributed half-centuries in the second innings, but the tourists needed far more to challenge Sri Lanka’s dominance.

Resuming at 199-5, New Zealand lost three wickets before lunch on the fourth day. Despite Sri Lanka’s fielding lapses, which saw three catches dropped, they eventually cleaned up after lunch. Jayasuriya removed Ajaz Patel and Peiris took the final scalp of Santner, stumped by Kusal Mendis, sealing the series win for Sri Lanka.

“We had our moments in the series, but disappointed with the end result,” said New Zealand captain Tim Southee. "That morning session on day three when we lost nine wickets was very disappointing.

“There were dropped catches and missed stumpings as well in the Sri Lankan innings and in these conditions when you don’t hold onto those chances it is very difficult.”

With this victory, Sri Lanka has now won three consecutive test matches and bolstered their hopes of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s next June.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's Tom Blundell plays a shot during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's Nishan Peiris celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Tom Blundell during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel return to pavilion in the lunch break during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's Nishan Peiris celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Glenn Phillips during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips celebrates his fifty runs during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka's Nishan Peiris, right, celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Glenn Phillips during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner plays a shot during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

New Zealand's Glenn Phillips plays a shot during the day four of the second test cricket match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle, Sri Lanka, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

BERLIN (AP) — A man has been arrested after allegedly setting two fires in the western German city of Essen that left 30 people injured and driving a van into two shops, authorities said Sunday.

Emergency services were alerted to two fires in residential buildings in quick succession shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, police said. The injured people included eight children who were seriously hurt, and two of them were in a life-threatening condition after inhaling smoke.

Shortly after the fires broke out, a van drove into two shops in the city, causing damage to property but no injuries. The suspect then allegedly threatened people with weapons, but several men managed to push him back with shovels and poles and hold him until police arrived.

Police said the suspect was a 41-year-old Essen resident with Syrian citizenship. They said they were investigating a possible motive.

The fire service said that, when it arrived at the scene of the first blaze, smoke was billowing from the entrance of the building and people were calling for help from windows. Neighbors had put up ladders to help people escape, but they weren't long enough to reach the upper floors.

This photo shows an apartment building after a fire in Essen, Germany Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Thomas Banneyer/dpa via AP)

This photo shows a stairwell of a residential building after a fire in Essen, Germany Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Thomas Banneyer/dpa via AP)

This photo shows an apartment building after a fire in Essen, Germany Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Thomas Banneyer/dpa via AP)