Southee lauds youngsters despite loss in the first Test against Sri Lanka

New Zealand’s woes at Galle continued with the team suffering their fifth consecutive Test defeat at the venue, as Sri Lanka claimed a 63-run victory in the series opener

Sri Lanka required just two wickets on the final day, defending 68 runs, with Rachin Ravindra standing in their way on an unbeaten 91 from the previous night.

At just 24, Ravindra has already taken the cricketing world by storm since his debut. His meteoric rise, especially in tough sub-continental conditions, has caught attention. In India, he was New Zealand’s standout performer at the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, racking up 578 runs across 10 matches.

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Capping off his breakout year in 2023, Rachin Ravindra was named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year.

However, despite his best efforts the previous day in Galle, Ravindra could only add one more run to his score on Day 5 before being trapped LBW by Prabath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya went on to dismiss Ajaz Patel, securing his five-wicket haul and sealing the victory for Sri Lanka.

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New Zealand captain Tim Southee heaped praise on Ravindra, highlighting his ability to adapt and thrive in challenging conditions despite his limited experience.

"Rachin [Ravindra] kept us in the hunt with that chase," Southee said after the game. "We knew it was [a] tough ask, and that it was going to take something special, with the wicket taking a lot of turn in these last couple of days. It was a great knock in those conditions.

"It's not easy to bat - the ball was spinning, and doing all sorts [of things]. For a young guy without a lot of experience in this part of the world to go out and get 90-odd was great signs for him as well. He's another one that's an exceptional talent, and he's had a little taste of international cricket as well, and done exceptionally well.

“He's a great young kid with a good head on his shoulders."

Southee was equally impressed with fellow pacer Will O’Rourke, who, despite it being his first experience playing in the subcontinent and only his third Test, made the most of conditions typically unfavourable to fast bowlers.

O’Rourke took eight wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings, consistently hitting speeds over 140 km/h and looking dangerous throughout.

"Will [O’Rourke] has had a very short Test career so far, and he's certainly announced himself," Southee remarked. "We saw in New Zealand how dangerous he can be. He's got the skills to have a very good Test career.

“For him to come to his first Test in the subcontinent and walk away with a very impressive eight wickets for the match is nothing short of special. He's got a great head on his shoulders, and he's a big guy. So there's a lot to like about Will O'Rourke."

Following the defeat, New Zealand fell to fourth in the World Test Championship standings, while Sri Lanka moved up to third.

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The two teams will face off again at the same venue for the second Test, starting on 26 September.