Jacob Duffy’s terrific 4-wicket spell paved the way for New Zealand to clinch the series with a 45-run win over Sri Lanka in the second match of the three-match T20I series, played today (30th) at Bay Oval.
Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka opted to bowl first once again after winning the toss. The team made one change, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa left out and Avishka Fernando returning to the side for the first time since March this year.
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The hosts, New Zealand, remained unchanged.
Playing XI:
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Hay (WK), Mitchell Santner (C), Matt Henry, Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Avishka Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara
Putting on a brilliant batting display, New Zealand posted 186 for 5 in their 20 overs. After losing Rachin Ravindra early, Tim Robinson and Mark Chapman set the tone for the hosts, stitching together a 69-run stand off 41 balls. Both Chapman and Robinson were dismissed in the 40s by Wanindu Hasaranga.
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Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 23 and 18, respectively, but it was the 24-year-old Mitchell Hay who made the difference for the Black Caps. Providing a late surge, Hay smashed an unbeaten 41 off just 19 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, as New Zealand added 34 runs in the final two overs.
On the bowling front, Wanindu Hasaranga was impressive as usual, claiming 2 for 28 in his 4 overs. Nuwan Thushara bowled economically with figures of 1/25, while Maheesh Theekshana struggled, conceding 32 runs in his final two overs to finish with 0/52.
In response, Sri Lankan openers struggled to capitalize in the powerplay, managing only 44 runs while losing Kusal Mendis to Mitchell Santner. Jacob Duffy dismissed Pathum Nissanka for 37, while Kamindu Mendis’ short stay ended by Michael Bracewell, leaving Sri Lanka at 97/3 in 11.4 overs.
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Kusal Perera showed promise with a 48-run knock but was cleaned by Duffy. From a position of 127/3, the visitors suffered another collapse, losing their last 7 wickets for just 14 runs. Only three batters managed to reach the 20-run mark, and none crossed 50 in a challenging chase.
Jacob Duffy, who delivered a match-defining spell in the previous game, recorded his career-best T20I bowling figures of 4/15 in his full quota of overs. Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry also chipped in with two wickets each to secure New Zealand’s commanding win.
Result
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Robinson | b Wanindu Hasaranga | 41 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 120.59 |
| Rachin Ravindra | c Matheesha Pathirana b Nuwan Thushara | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Mark Chapman | st Kusal Mendis b Wanindu Hasaranga | 42 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 144.83 |
| Glenn Phillips | c Pathum Nissanka b Matheesha Pathirana | 23 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 143.75 |
| Daryl Mitchell | run out (Binura Fernando) | 18 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 120.00 |
| Mitchell Hay | not out | 41 | 19 | 4 | 2 | 215.79 |
| Michael Bracewell | not out | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Extras | 15 (b 0 , lb 7 , nb 0, w 8, pen 0) |
| Total | 186/5 (20 Overs, RR: 9.3) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuwan Thushara | 4 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 6.25 | |
| Binura Fernando | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 9.25 | |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 4 | 0 | 52 | 0 | 13.00 | |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 4 | 0 | 37 | 1 | 9.25 | |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 4 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 7.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pathum Nissanka | c Matt Henry b Jacob Duffy | 37 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 132.14 |
| Kusal Mendis | c Daryl Mitchell b Mitchell Santner | 10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
| Kusal Perera | b Jacob Duffy | 48 | 35 | 4 | 2 | 137.14 |
| Kamindu Mendis | c Mark Chapman b Michael Bracewell | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Charith Asalanka | c Mark Chapman b Mitchell Santner | 20 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 125.00 |
| Avishka Fernando | c Tim Robinson b Matt Henry | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 71.43 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | b Jacob Duffy | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Maheesh Theekshana | c Mitchell Santner b Jacob Duffy | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Binura Fernando | c Jacob Duffy b Zakary Foulkes | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Matheesha Pathirana | c Mitchell Hay b Matt Henry | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Nuwan Thushara | not out | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 10 (b 0 , lb 2 , nb 2, w 6, pen 0) |
| Total | 141/10 (19.1 Overs, RR: 7.36) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 4 | 0 | 31 | 2 | 7.75 | |
| Jacob Duffy | 4 | 0 | 15 | 4 | 3.75 | |
| Zakary Foulkes | 3.1 | 0 | 27 | 1 | 8.71 | |
| Mitchell Santner | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 5.50 | |
| Michael Bracewell | 3 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 10.00 | |
| Glenn Phillips | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14.00 | |
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