NZ vs SL: New Zealand proved unstoppable in Hamilton, dominating Sri Lanka by 113 runs in a rain-affected encounter at Seddon Park on Wednesday.
Image Source: @BLACKCAPS/X
NZ vs SL 2nd ODI: Due to a rain delay, the match was shortened to 37 overs per side at Seddon Park.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Black Caps had the upper hand, having claimed a dominant 9-wicket victory in the first match of the series.
New Zealand opener Will Young (16 off 18) went for the Pavilion early. Despite the Black Caps lost Will Young early, openers Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman forged a brilliant 112-run partnership, giving New Zealand a strong start. Mark Chapman smashed (62 off 52) with the help of 2 fiery sixes and 5 fours, alongside his partner Rachin Ravindra, who played a stunning inning of (79 off 63) balls, including 1 six and nine fours.
New Zealand looked set to surpass 255, but the spin masterclass of Maheesh Theeskana (4-44) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-39) clawed Sri Lanka back into the game with timely breakthroughs in the latter stages. Theekshana made history in the second ODI against New Zealand, claiming his first-ever ODI hat-trick in a sensational spell within two overs.
Despite Spin Masterclass, Kiwis set a total of 255-9 in their 37 overs.
Chasing 255, Sri Lanka’s top order crumbled in a dramatic collapse at Seddon Park. They lost back-to-back wickets as Sri Lanka was on 22-4, leaving themselves in trouble. Kamindu Mendis stood firm for Sri Lanka and played a needed inning of (64 off 66 balls). He was the only batter to surpass 50 runs.
A 57-run stand between Kamindu Mendis and Liyanage for the fifth wicket provided much-needed stability for their team. But Sri Lanka’s hopes faded when Kamindu Mendis fell victim to Will O’Rourke’s cunning delivery. Janith Liyanage and Chamindu Wickramasinghe offered support to Mendis but couldn’t withstand the relentless pressure from New Zealand’s bowling attack.
Consequently, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 142, losing all ten wickets in 30.2 overs.
- Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (79 off 63).