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Blackcaps ease to series-sealing win against Sri Lanka in Hamilton
Stephen Foote • January 8th, 2025 10:15 pm
Photo: Photosport
The Blackcaps have cruised to a 113-run win in the second ODI against Sri Lanka in Hamilton, sealing the series with a match to spare.
While New Zealand's target of 255/9 may initially have seemed shortchanged, it proved comfortably enough against the struggling visitors, who were ultimately bundled out for 142 in the 31st over.
The loss of three wickets in five balls early in their chase immediately put the Sri Lankans on the back foot, and while Kamindu Mendis ensured they remained in the fight, a recovery never looked genuinely likely.
Will O'Rourke was the pick of the NZ bowlers with 3/31 off 6.2 overs, while Jacob Duffy claimed 2/30 from five.
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Duffy ensured his team got the early breakthrough they needed, enticing Pathum Nissanka into a half-hearted stroke to spoon an easy catch to Mitchell Santner at mid-off with just his second delivery of the evening.
After Will Young's dropped catch at second slip gave Avishka Fernando a life, Duffy struck the very next delivery, finding the edge of Kusal Mendis' bat, before Matt Henry claimed his first wicket to reduce the visitors to 18/3 in the fifth over.
The situation worsened when Santner threw down the stumps on an ill-advised single to dismiss captain Asalanka, completing a debilitating triple NZ strike.
Blackcaps triple strike puts the hosts on top in Hamilton I Sport Nation
Kamindu Mendis and Janith Liyanage were able to dig in and prevent immediate collapse, putting on 47 off 52 before Nathan Smith had the latter tickle one through to the keeper, leaving Sri Lanka floundering at 80/5 in the 17th over.
But Kamindu remained stoic, raising his second ODI half-century in a determined combination with Chamindu Wickaramasinghe.
In the 25th over, some sharp work in the field and another terrible miscommunication led to the Wickaramasinghe's downfall, run out for 17 with Sri Lanka 126/6 in the 25th over.
The final four wickets - one of them courtesy of a spectacular diving catch by Nathan Smith at the third-man boundary - fell for 16 runs, as the contest fizzled to a predictable conclusion.
The Blackcaps will try to complete a series sweep in the third and final match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday.
Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman I Photo: Photosport
Blackcaps squander fast start
The Blackcaps set Sri Lanka 256 to win the rain-reduced second ODI.
The hosts were anchored by Rachin Ravindra (79) and Mark Chapman's (63) explosive 112-run second-wicket partnership off just 90 balls.
But down the stretch, the New Zealanders squandered their fast start, dropping off the pace to leave a total of 255/9 for the tourists - comfortably short of what they'd earlier threatened.
Will Young (16) was the first NZ batter to depart, unable to keep his hot streak alive after playing around a superb off-cutting delivery from Asitha Fernando in the fifth over.
Chapman wasted no time settling in, ramping up the NZ scoring rate in a platform-laying partnership with Ravindra, with the hosts surpassing the 100-run mark in the 16th over.
Both batters passed the half-century mark respectively, before Chapman holed out off Theekshana for 63 off 52 balls.
Rachin Ravindra I Photo: Photosport
That ended an excellent 112-run partnership, with the Blackcaps still strongly positioned at 143/2 after 20 overs.
Ravindra's brilliant knock was ended by a superb diving catch from skipper Asalanka at cover, heading to the pavilion with 79 off 63 balls, including nine fours and a six.
Tom Latham immediately followed suit, comfortably run out coming back from a second off the first delivery he faced, somewhat forcing the Blackcaps to regroup at 170/4 in the 24th over.
Mitchell held firm for the New Zealanders down the stretch, combining with Glenn Phillips for a 47-run partnership, before his teammate skied one to deep midwicket to exit for an awkward 22 off 26 balls.
Santner stepped up to the plate to provide a late flurry until he was caught on the boundary for a swift 20 off 14 with three overs remaining.
Nathan Smith followed his captain the very next ball for a golden duck, before Mitchell was eventually undone attempting to swing for the fences.
Theekshana returned to close out a hat trick with the first ball of the final over, having Matt Henry caught for another NZ golden duck.
Blackcaps sent in to bat after losing toss
Rain delayed the start of the second ODI.
Once the the downpours had abated and the wet outfield dried, officials confirmed a 37-over match to start at 4:30pm.
After losing the toss, Mitchell Santner's Blackcaps were sent in to bat first.
The only change to the NZ starting XI was the return of Tom Latham from injury, reclaiming the gloves at the expense of Mitch Hay.
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The Blackcaps lead the three-game series 1-0, after their nine-wicket demolition job in Wellington on Sunday.
New Zealand XI: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Mitchell Santner (cap), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (cap), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando
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.
