New Zealand sealed the ODI series with a game to spare, registering a massive 113-run win over Sri Lanka in the second match played today (8th) at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Maheesh Theekshana became the 7th Sri Lankan bowler to claim a One Day International hat-trick, his effort helping the visitors restrict New Zealand to 255/9 in their rain-reduced 37 overs, despite a second-wicket century stand between Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman.
Chasing 256 to level the series, Sri Lanka suffered another early collapse, similar to the first game, losing their first four wickets for just 22 runs due to poor shot selection and careless running between the wickets.
Janith Liyanage attempted to provide resistance for the visitors, partnering with Kamindu Mendis in a 57-run stand. However, the required run rate climbed towards 10 runs per over. Nathan Smith broke the partnership when Liyanage was caught behind for 22. Chamindu Wickramasinghe contributed 17 runs before being run out.
Mendis fought valiantly, scoring his second half-century in the format, but lacked support from the other end. He eventually fell after a 66-ball 64, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes. Sri Lanka’s innings ended at 142 in 30.2 overs.
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On the bowling front, William O’Rourke stood out with figures of 3 for 31, while the in-form Jacob Duffy also claimed two wickets as New Zealand secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Earlier, after putting New Zealand in to bat, Asitha Fernando broke the opening partnership when the score was 31. The right-arm pacer knocked out Will Young’s off stump with a nipped-back delivery. The second-wicket partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman put Sri Lanka on the back foot and laid the platform for the hosts. Both left-handers reached their fifties and stitched together a brilliant 112-run partnership in just 91 balls, scoring at a healthy run rate.
Maheesh Theekshana broke that partnership, with Chapman holding out to long-off. His knock of 62 came off 52 balls, including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Ravindra was going strong, but a stunning catch by skipper Charith Asalanka paved the way for his dismissal. Ravindra attempted to slap a short googly from Wanindu Hasaranga, but ended up finding short extra cover, having scored 79 off 63 balls with 9 fours and a six.
Tom Latham came out to bat next, but his stay lasted only one ball as he was run out when attempting a second run, following a fine fielding and throw from Eshan Malinga. This left the home side at 170 for 4 in 23.2 overs. However, Daryl Mitchell shared useful partnerships–first 47 runs with Glenn Phillips, then 30 runs with Mitchell Santner, helping New Zealand surpass 250 in their 37 overs.
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Mitchell became Malinga’s maiden ODI scalp after a run-a-ball 38. However, it was Theekshana who pulled things back for Sri Lanka, registering his maiden ODI hat-trick. He removed Santner and Nathan Smith to finish the 35th over, then claimed Matt Henry’s wicket off the first ball of the final over to complete the milestone. Theekshana finished with figures of 4 for 44, while Hasaranga also bowled well with 2/39 in his 8 overs.
The match, initially scheduled to start at 6:30 AM Sri Lanka Time, was delayed by rain. After a two-hour interruption, the toss took place at 8:30 AM.
Sri Lanka made one change to their lineup, bringing in right-arm off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana to replace Lahiru Kumara. For New Zealand, experienced keeper-batter Tom Latham returned after missing the series opener due to a niggle, with Mitch Hay left out.
Playing XI:
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (WK), Mitchell Santner (C), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, William O’Rourke
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Young | b Asitha Fernando | 16 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 88.89 |
| Rachin Ravindra | c Charith Asalanka b Wanindu Hasaranga | 79 | 63 | 9 | 1 | 125.40 |
| Mark Chapman | c Nuwanidu Fernando b Maheesh Theekshana | 62 | 52 | 5 | 2 | 119.23 |
| Daryl Mitchell | c Asitha Fernando b Eshan Malinga | 38 | 38 | 3 | 1 | 100.00 |
| Tom Latham | run out (Eshan Malinga) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Glenn Phillips | c Chamindu Wickramasinghe b Wanindu Hasaranga | 22 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 84.62 |
| Mitchell Santner | c Chamindu Wickramasinghe b Maheesh Theekshana | 20 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 133.33 |
| Nathan Smith | c Kusal Mendis b Maheesh Theekshana | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Matt Henry | c Nuwanidu Fernando b Maheesh Theekshana | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Jacob Duffy | not out | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| William O’Rourke | not out | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Extras | 13 (b 4 , lb 5 , nb 0, w 4, pen 0) |
| Total | 255/9 (37 Overs, RR: 6.89) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asitha Fernando | 7 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 7.71 | |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 8 | 0 | 44 | 4 | 5.50 | |
| Eshan Malinga | 7 | 0 | 54 | 1 | 7.71 | |
| Charith Asalanka | 3 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 8.00 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 8 | 0 | 39 | 2 | 4.88 | |
| Janith Liyanage | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 7.00 | |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Mitchell Santner b Jacob Duffy | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| Avishka Fernando | c Glenn Phillips b Matt Henry | 10 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Tom Latham b Jacob Duffy | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Daryl Mitchell b William O’Rourke | 64 | 66 | 5 | 3 | 96.97 |
| Charith Asalanka | run out (Mitchell Santner) | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 133.33 |
| Janith Liyanage | c Tom Latham b Nathan Smith | 22 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 70.97 |
| Chamindu Wickramasinghe | run out (Mitchell Santner) | 17 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 62.96 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | b Mitchell Santner | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | c Daryl Mitchell b William O’Rourke | 6 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 30.00 |
| Eshan Malinga | c Nathan Smith b William O’Rourke | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Asitha Fernando | not out | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 11 (b 0 , lb 1 , nb 0, w 10, pen 0) |
| Total | 142/10 (30.2 Overs, RR: 4.68) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 5 | 1 | 19 | 1 | 3.80 | |
| Jacob Duffy | 5 | 1 | 30 | 2 | 6.00 | |
| William O’Rourke | 6.2 | 0 | 31 | 3 | 5.00 | |
| Nathan Smith | 7 | 1 | 34 | 1 | 4.86 | |
| Mitchell Santner | 5 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 2.80 | |
| Daryl Mitchell | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 6.50 | |
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