New Zealand win ODI series against Sri Lanka in dominant fashion

HAMILTON: The rain may have reduced the 2nd ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka to only 37 overs apiece on Wednesday, but it failed to temper the Kiwi’s fury.

New Zealand won the second ODI comfortably after a couple of great knocks from Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, as well as some imposing bowling by William O’Rourke.

NEW ZEALAND’S INNINGS

A couple fantastic knocks from Ravindra and Chapman made the most out of the reduced overs. Their partnership of 112 runs was by far the largest of the game. Ravindra was able to make the fourth half century of his ODI career, scoring 79 runs off 63 deliveries, hitting nine fours and one six along the way. The 25-year-old batting allrounder reign of terror eventually came to an end in the 23rd over, after Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka took a magnificent catch at short extra cover on a delivery from Wanindu Hasaranga.

Chapman made 62 runs before he was dismissed on a delivery from Maheesh Theekshana that the Kiwi hit straight to Nuwanidu Fernando at long-off. That would be the first of four wickets for Theekshana, the other three coming in his second spell.

He dismissed New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith on back to back balls in the 35th over. The former was caught out at deep cover by Chamidu Wickramasinghe, who made an incredible diving effort to send Santner off. The latter was sent off for a golden duck after another tough take, this time by Kamindu Mendis.

Theeskshana completed his hat-trick on the first ball of his next over, dismissing Matt Henry on a delivery that was gave MNK Fernando his second catch of the day.

However, even with Theekshana shining, New Zealand were able to make 255 runs in 37 overs, losing nine wickets along the way,

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SRI LANKA’S INNINGS

The Lions’s batting line-up crumbled immediately, as Sri Lanka lost four wickets within the five overs. Jacob Duffy dismissed Pathum Nissanka in the second over, after the Sri Lankan batter sent the ball to Santner at mid-off for an easy catch.

Kusal Mednis fell next, on a delivery that was caught behind by Tom Latham after just nicking the bat. It took a bit of convincing with a review, but Sri Lanka found themselves down two in before they made 20 runs. And it only got worser form there.

Matt Henry dismissed an impatient Avishka Fernando in the fifth on a dleviery that was caught by Glenn Phillips at point. A few balls later, an anxious Asalanka was run out by Santner after he called for single despite the nearby fielder.

Sri Lanka were finally able to bring some stability to their innings thanks to Kamindu Mendis. In the 66 balls he faced, he made 64 runs, hitting five fours and three sixes in the process. In the midst of his knock, Chamidu Wickramasinghe was run out.

Mendis himself fell not long after on a delivery from William O’Rourke. It took a gargantuan effort from Mitchell who took a running, diving catch, to send off the Lions only hope.

Sri Lanka still trailed by 124 runs, with only two wickets in hand. And it didn’t take long for those to fall, as O’Rourke took his second wicket in the same over, sending off Eshan Malinga. It was another incredible catch, this time by Nathan Smith at deep third who dove to put victory within sight.

In his next over, O’Rourke ended the match, dismissing Theekshana on a delivery that was caught by Mitchell at cover.

New Zealand won the game by 113 runs, and the series 2-0. The Kiwis have a chance to white wash the Lions in the third match, which is set for Saturday, January 11.

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