New Zealand secured a commanding victory over Sri Lanka within the second ODI in Hamilton, successful by 113 runs. This win offers them an unassailable 2-Zero lead within the three-match sequence.
Half-centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman had been instrumental in New Zealand’s success. Their 112-run partnership for the second wicket laid the muse for a robust complete.
Ravindra scored 79 runs off 63 balls, whereas Chapman contributed 62 runs from 52 deliveries. New Zealand posted 255-9 of their allotted 37 overs after rain interrupted play.
Maheesh Theekshana achieved a hat-trick for Sri Lanka, dismissing Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry in consecutive deliveries. This makes him the seventh Sri Lankan bowler to attain this feat in ODIs.
Regardless of this late surge from Theekshana, Sri Lanka struggled of their chase. They had been decreased to 22-Four early of their innings.
Kamindu Mendis performed a valiant knock, scoring a career-best 64. Nonetheless, his efforts weren’t sufficient to forestall Sri Lanka from being bowled out for 142 in 30.2 overs.
Mendis fashioned essential partnerships with Janith Liyanage (22) and Chamidu Wickramasinghe (17), including 57 and 47 runs respectively. Two run-outs additional hampered Sri Lanka’s chase.
Sri Lanka struggled in opposition to the tempo and bounce of the New Zealand bowlers. The required run fee climbed steadily, reaching virtually 15 an over in the direction of the tip of their innings.
Rain precipitated a two-hour delay to the beginning of the match. Sri Lanka received the toss and selected to bowl first on a greenish pitch at Seddon Park. The choice was influenced by the overcast situations and the potential for additional rain interruptions.
New Zealand misplaced Will Younger early, leaving them at 31-1. Chapman then joined Ravindra on the crease, and collectively they constructed a stable partnership.
Their 50-partnership got here from 44 balls, they usually reached their century stand in simply 79 deliveries. The pair rotated the strike successfully, continuously concentrating on the on-side the place there have been gaps within the area.
Ravindra’s early straight drive exemplified his good type. He continued to construct his innings, showcasing his timing and shot choice.
“I feel it is a good pure tempo to go on the market and play cricket pictures, even within the shortened recreation,” Ravindra mentioned. “I do benefit from the ODI format, though you do not see many matches taking place any extra.
“It is a format I grew up watching and I feel it fits the way in which I bat.”
Ravindra’s latest performances counsel he’s discovering his rhythm. He scored 69 from 38 balls within the third T20 in opposition to Sri Lanka. He adopted that with 45 from 36 balls within the first ODI.
On this match, he struck 9 fours and one six throughout his innings. Chapman additionally performed with rising confidence at quantity three, hitting 5 fours and two sixes.
Each batters reached their half-centuries with sixes. Ravindra’s six got here off Wanindu Hasaranga‘s bowling, whereas Chapman cleared the ropes in opposition to Eshan Malinga.
New Zealand’s momentum slowed after the dismissals of Ravindra and Chapman. Daryl Mitchell (38), Glenn Phillips (22), and Santner (20) made contributions. Nonetheless, they could not keep the identical scoring fee.
The third and remaining ODI will happen on Saturday in Auckland.
