New Zealand made to follow-on after 88 all-out as Sri Lanka take fifth-highest first innings lead in Test cricket

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New Zealand were down on their knees once again against Sri Lanka spinners as they were bundled out for 88 in their first innings of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. They were asked to follow-on by the hosts.

Sri Lanka took a 514-run lead, fifth-highest ever in the first innings of a Test match. Only three New Zealand batters could score in double digits as Sri Lanka left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya ran away with six wickets.

Highest first innings lead take in Test cricket

• 702 by England vs Australia
• 587 by South Africa vs Sri Lanka in 2006
• 570 by Pakistan vs New Zealand in 2002
• 563 by England vs West Indies in 1930
• 514 by Sri Lanka vs New Zealand in 2024

Jayasuriya picked five wickets in the second innings of the first Test as New Zealand were bundled out for 211, losing the match by 63 runs. He picked four in the first innings. The 32-year-old has picked 15 wickets in three innings of the ongoing two-match Test series, and would be looking to better the figures in the second innings.

Sri Lanka were nine down for 68, but Mitchell Santner scored 29 off 51 to delay the unavoidable follow-on. Rachin Ravindra (10), and Daryl Mitchell (13) were the other two Kiwi batters to score in double digits.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson faced 53 deliveries for seven runs before being caught by Dhananjaya de Silva off Jayasuriya. Dhananjaya picked a total of five outfield catches - the joint most in an innings in Tests. 14 players have achieved the feat so far.

88 all-out New Zealand's fifth lowest Test total in Asia

New Zealand, who will be playing three Test matches against India in October-November - have been bundled out for a lesser total four times in Asia. They lost all their wickets for 62 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 2021. Bangladesh bundled them out for 70 in Dhaka in 1955, while Pakistan wrapped their innings for 73 in Lahore in 2002, and 79 in Rawalpindi in 1965. However, none of these feature in their top five lowest totals in Test cricket.

New Zealand's Top 5 Lowest Totals in Test Cricket

• 26 vs England in Auckland - 1955
• 42 vs Australia in Wellington - 1946
• 45 vs South Africa in Cape Town - 2013
• 47 vs England in London (Lord's) - 1958
• 54 vs Australia in Wellington - 1946