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Sri Lanka bowl out Blackcaps to deny ODI series sweep
Sport Nation • January 11th, 2025 8:40 pm
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
After two convincing wins in Wellington and Hamilton, the Blackcaps have come crashing back down to Earth at Auckland's Eden Park.
Sri Lanka turned their fortunes around at the conclusion of their New Zealand tour, denying the Blackcaps an ODI series sweep as they had done in the 20-over format. The visitors banded together to produce an incredible display of fielding, defending their total of 290/8 to win by 140 runs.
After recent strong showings with the bat upon returning to the Blackcaps lineup, Will Young stumbled for a duck in the second over of New Zealand's pursuit of Sri Lanka's 290 - the challenging spin attack of Maheesh Theekshana provided the early setback, sending in Mark Chapman to join opener Rachin Ravindra.
But an incredible in-swinging yorker delivered by Asitha Fernando ensured that Ravindra (1) wouldn't stay long either. All of a sudden, the odds-on favourites were in trouble losing two wickets for just four runs inside the opening three overs.
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With a graceful dive to his left, substitute fielder Nuwanidu Fernando dismissed Daryl Mitchell (2) with NZ 20/3, before Asitha grabbed two more wickets the following over. The ball continued to fall into the hands of the Sri Lankan field with no hint of a drop, Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips both sent back with zeroes on the board and the Blackcaps floundering at 21/5.
While others fell around him, Mark Chapman dug in for a disciplined knock at a familiar ground, top scoring for NZ with 81 runs from 81 balls, before dragging the ball back onto his stumps. The best of his partnerships came from a 51-run stand with Nathan Smith for the eight wicket.
The Blackcaps were all out for 150 inside 30 overs.
Here's how the 10 wickets sounded on Sport Nation:
Sri Lanka set 291 target for NZ to complete ODI series sweep
A much-improved batting effort by Sri Lanka has set the Blackcaps a target of 291 if Gary Stead's side want to complete their ODI series sweep.
Matt Henry was the pick of the New Zealand bowling attack at 4/55, with NZ skipper Mitchell Santner providing a pair (2/55), plus one each for Nathan Smith (1/62) and Michael Bracewell (1/45).
Injury concern struck the visitors during the 10th over when Pathum Nissanka pulled up after a quick single to bring up his 50, limping and chucking his gloves before laying down on the ground in clear discomfort, holding his hip.
Nissanka did return to play briefly before retiring hurt at the conclusion of the over.
Sri Lanka were at 69 before losing their first wicket via a dismissal, with Avishka Fernando (17) joining his fellow opener back in the pavilion. Smith provided the breakthrough, tempting Avishka into a lofted shot that found Mark Chapman at 'deep' midwicket.
Nathan Smith gets the first breakthrough at Eden Park | Sport Nation
The Blackcaps battled for wickets under Auckland's baking sun - Henry dropped Kamindu Mendis at mid on, but made up for it five overs later to dismiss Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka for a duck.
Kamindu (46) was undone caught behind by Tom Latham off Henry's bowling, Nissanka made his way slowly back out, fighting through soreness in an attempt to steady Sri Lanka's innings, stumbling to 183/4 after a promising second wicket partnership of 87.
Nissanka did manage to add a further 16 runs before aiming a shot straight down the throat of Smith for Santner's first scalp of the innings at 204/5. Smith then reeled in another catch for Henry's second wicket of the match to send back Chamidu Wickramasinghe on 19.
It's a joy watching Matt Henry bowl when he delivers yorkers like that | Sport Nation
Henry's third wicket was a beautiful piece of bowling - a well-placed yorker emphatically dislodging Wanindu Hasaranga's off-stump to stall Sri Lanka's batting efforts at 272/7.
In the end, 290/8 has given the Blackcaps a decent target to attack if they want to complete the series sweep ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy squad announcement on Sunday.
Sri Lanka win toss, Blackcaps bowl first
The Sri Lankans have named an unchanged lineup at Eden Park, while New Zealand swaps Jacob Duffy for Michael Bracewell to provide an extra spin option at a ground known for rather short boundary dimensions.
Sri Lanka won the toss and will bat first in the third and final ODI against the Blackcaps, who are seeking a home series sweep ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
Blackcaps XI: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Will O'Rourke.
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.
Sport Nation has live ball-by-ball commentary, with Daniel McHardy and Tom Bartlett providing the call, alongside the great cricketing minds of Jeremy Coney and John Bracewell, who will bring their expert analysis and opinion throughout.
Prior to the toss, Bracewell inspected the drop-in pitch - watch the video below:
Braces inspects the drop-in pitch at Eden Park | Sport Nation
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