Spinners weave magic as Sri Lanka dominate New Zealand – The Island

When Sanath Jayasuriya took over as Sri Lanka’s head coach earlier this year, he didn’t just shuffle the deck – he set about reshaping the entire ethos of the game. Fitness, discipline, fielding, running between the wickets and commitment were the cornerstones of his strategy. Still, one masterpiece stood out: charging tail-enders to sharpen their batting skills during practice sessions.

Jayasuriya had identified a glaring gap during England’s tour – the bowlers’ contributions with the bat were sparse at best, leaving the team precariously balanced. Netto sessions for the bowlers thus became more than a box-ticking exercise; they had to learn the art of scoring runs, not just playing defense.

That foresight bore fruit in spectacular fashion on Sunday in Pallekele. Maheesh Theekshana stepped up to the plate – or rather, the crease – and played a crucial role alongside Kusal Mendis in setting up a thrilling three-wicket win against New Zealand. The win wasn’t just another notch on the belt; it ended a 12-year drought in bilateral series wins against the Kiwis.

At 163 for seven, with 47 runs still needed on a pitch that spun like a roulette wheel, Sri Lanka’s chances looked bleaker than a batsman caught in two minds. But Theekshana stood firm and faced 44 deliveries for a crucial 27 runs, peppered with two fours and a six. His knock, full of grit and sense, helped steer Sri Lanka to a famous victory with an over to spare.

“Even our bowlers are going to bat in practice so we know they can contribute when it matters,” Theekshana told reporters, reflecting on the game. “Players like Wellalage, Vandersay and others are able to step up. The team trusts that if one player stumbles, the next one will pick up.”

Theekshana shed light on his partnership with Kusal Mendis which turned the tide of the game. “The plan was simple – hit deep and take the game into the final. As the dew came in, it became easier to bat as the match progressed. The spinners struggled to get hold of the wet ball, forcing them to turn to the quicks. Our strategy of taking the game deep worked like a charm,” he explained.

Kusal Mendis, nursing a groin niggle, struggled visibly but soldiered on to hit an unbeaten 74 – a match-winning knock that, along with Theekshana’s resilience, sealed the deal.

“When Kusal was on strike, they kept giving him the single to try and get me on strike. Their plan was to throw me dotted balls and force a foul,” Theekshana said with a wry smile. “But they underestimated us. We bided our time and waited for the loose balls and when they came we punished them. They brought the field up for me and I made the most of the gaps outside the stumps.”

This victory is another feather in Sri Lanka’s cap in a year where the team has turned their fortunes around and won multiple bilateral series across all three formats.

“Our bench strength has grown tremendously,” noted Theekshana. “Look at Nishan Madushka – he can’t find a place in the XI despite scoring 50 and 40. We have a solid line-up of spinners ready to step in. There is healthy competition in the squad, and this pushes everyone to perform at their best.”