SL vs NZ: All Round Performance By NZ With 113-Run Win

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SL vs NZ: New Zealand on January 8 registered a dominant 113-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second match of their three-match ODI series at Seddon Park, Hamilton. With this win, the Kiwis have secured the series, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead, with one match still to play.

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The match was reduced to 37 overs per side due to rain, and Sri Lanka, chasing a target of 256, were bowled out for just 142 runs in 30.2 overs. This comprehensive victory highlighted New Zealand’s all-round strength with both the bat and the ball.

New Zealand Sets a Challenging Total in SL vs NZ 2nd ODI

After winning the toss, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka chose to field, hence New Zealand was called to bat first. Despite being a little wobbly in the first period, Asitha Fernando dismissed New Zealand’s opener, Will Young, for a mere 16 runs in the fifth over. The middle-order pair of Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra stabilized New Zealand’s innings with a superb 112-run partnership that set up the second wicket.

Mark Chapman scored 62 runs from just 52 balls while playing aggressively. There were two sixes and five boundaries. There were also some delicate knocks at the other end. An outstanding 79 runs from 63 balls were achieved by Rachin Ravindra. During the knock, he had hit a six and nine fours. These two were the key contributors to New Zealand’s 37-over total of 255 for 9.

New Zealand finished with a difficult total with two crucial runs from Glenn Phillips (22) and Mitchell Santner (20).

Maheesh Teekshana was the most notable bowling player from Sri Lanka. Teekshana took four wickets in eight overs, scoring forty-four runs. Wanindu Hasaranga took two wickets for 39 runs in eight overs, which was a respectable performance. Despite taking one wicket each, Asitha Fernando and Charith Asalanka were unable to prevent New Zealand from scoring a high total.

Struggle in Sri Lanka’s Run Chase

Sri Lanka’s pursuit of reprisal was disastrous from the beginning. The team had a lot to climb after losing four wickets in just 22 runs. Kamindu Mendis, on the other hand, put up a strong fight for Sri Lanka, scoring 64 runs from 66 balls, including three sixes and five fours. The Lankan team was ultimately bowled out for 142 in 30.2 overs, despite the disappointment of all other batters and the fact that no man reached 20. They were unable to recapture the position of their collapsed opening duo.

From there on the other Sri Lanka batsmen never threatened to achieve any great milestones and failed utterly. The chasing task was thus a mountain task for the tourists as they ran much short of the target.

New Zealand’s Bowlers Deliver an All-Round Performance in SL vs NZ 2nd ODI

New Zealand’s bowlers were excellent throughout Sri Lanka’s chase. William O’Rourke was the star with the ball, taking three wickets for just 31 runs in 6.2 overs. His performance was instrumental in breaking the back of Sri Lanka’s chase early on. Jacob Duffy also supported well, taking two wickets.

Moreover, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Mitchell Santner took one wicket each as the whole Sri Lankan batting line-up was completely decimated. The brilliance of O’Rourke combined with the efficient bowling from the remaining bowlers meant that New Zealand could bowl Sri Lanka out without much fuss and thereby win by a comfortable 113 runs.

New Zealand Wins SL vs NZ ODI Series

With this 113-run win, New Zealand won the series outright, securing the unassailable 2-0 lead. It was a very all-round performance for New Zealand. They did all their hard work on both ends with great contributions from batsmen and bowlers alike. A very strong show from Mark Chapman and Rachin Ravindra in their bat-work partnerships was supplemented well by William O’Rourke and other New Zealand bowlers’ very clinical displays that gave them victory.

Sri Lanka, despite Kamindu Mendis’ valiant effort, failed to capitalize on the early breakthroughs and were thoroughly outplayed. New Zealand will look to complete a clean sweep in the final ODI of the series.

ALSO READ: ICC Test Rankings: Boland Breaks into Top 10, Pant Returns to Elite Group

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