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Duffy shines again as Blackcaps take 2-0 series lead against Sri Lanka
AAP • December 31st, 2024 12:00 am
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Sri Lanka again fell short in a tough run chase as the Blackcaps won the second Twenty20 international by 45 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match series.
The tourists were edged by eight runs chasing 172/8 in the first match two days earlier at Bay Oval, and again faltered late at the same venue, while pursuing New Zealand's 186/5 on Monday - Sri Lanka were all out for 141 in 19.1 overs.
"It's really important to finish the game, no matter how it started," Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka said.
"The way you finish is the most important thing. In the first game we were almost there to win and again we're disappointed."
Jacob Duffy strikes again at Bay Oval | Sport Nation
Once again, Jacob Duffy was New Zealand's key bowler, dismissing opener Pathum Nissanka for 37 and returning to remove Kusal Perera for 48, after both batters looked well placed to steer Sri Lanka to victory.
Nissanka made 96 in the first match in a 120-run opening partnership with Kusal Mendis before Duffy turned that match in New Zealand's favour when he took three wickets in four balls to stifle the Sri Lanka chase.
He took 4-15 Monday to stand out as the difference between the teams, alongside a Player of the Match performance with the bat by wicketkeeper Mitch Hay. He scored 41 off 19 balls during the Blackcaps' innings, while Mark Chapman (42 off 29) and opener Tim Robinson (41 off 34) also contributed to New Zealand's total.
After dismissing Nissanka, Duffy produced a superb yorker to remove Perera in the 16th over when Sri Lanka were 4-127 and still in with a chance.
He then removed Wanindu Hasaranga (1) and Maheesh Theekshana (0) in the space of three balls in the 18th over as the Sri Lanka tail again failed to fire.
Matt Henry took two wickets with consecutive balls in the 19th over before Zak Foulkes finished off the Sri Lanka innings with five balls remaining.
The series heads to Nelson's Saxton Oval on January 2, where the Blackcaps look to complete a sweep of the Sri Lankans to begin 2025 on a positive note.
Sport Nation has live commentary of the Blackcaps' white-ball series against Sri Lanka - available on all NZ frequencies and the Sport Nation app - available now on the App Store and Google Play.
Smithy is hopeful of Blackcaps' T20 prospects as new players stand up in Sri Lanka series | Sport Nation
