1 day Ago By Mid-day
New Zealand defeated by 113 runs in the rain-reduced second ODI in Hamilton. Sri Lanka's premier spinner Maheesh Theekshana registered a hat-trick as the "Black Caps" posted 255 runs for the loss of nine wickets. In response, Sri Lanka was only able to score 142 runs and their innings was wrapped up in 30.
2 overs. It followed New Zealand's comfortable nine-wicket win in Wellington to go 2-0 up in the series, with the third match to be played in Auckland on Saturday. Sri Lanka's top order has misfired badly in both games.
They slumped to 22-4 at Seddon Park, leaving little chance of reaching their target of 256 in a match reduced to 37 overs each because of early rain. Kamindu Mendis was the lone warrior for the Lankans as he smashed 64 runs in 66 deliveries. He was dismissed when Daryl Mitchell pulled off a stunning running catch in Will O'Rourke's over.
Janith Liyanage's 22 was the next-best score in a Sri Lanka chase marred by two run-outs and a series of risky shots that didn't pay off. O'Rourke was too quick for the tail, taking 3-31 off 6.2 overs while Jacob Duffy was responsible for some of the early damage, claiming 2-30, including the key scalps of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.
Sri Lanka captain said their run target should have been achievable. "I think it was a fair score for batsmen in this kind of small ground, and it's a fair pitch," he said. "I think again the bad batting in the power play cost us the game.
" Earlier, recalled off-spinner Theekshana capitalised on some wayward New Zealand hitting to finish with 4-44 off eight overs. He removed Mitchell Santer and Nathan Smith with successive deliveries at the end of the 35th over. The hat-trick was completed -- all from mistimed lofted shots -- when Matt Henry was caught off the first ball of the final over.
It helped to pull back a New Zealand innings which threatened to surpass 300 when opener Rachin Ravindra raced to 79 off 63 balls and Mark Chapman scored 62 off 52. The pair put on 112 for the second wicket, ending when Chapman holed out to long-off from Theekshana. Ravindra departed soon afterwards, caught brilliantly at short cover by Asalanka off leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga (2-39).
Ravindra, who struck nine fours and a six, believed his balanced batting style was tailored for the 50-over format. "I do enjoy the ODIs, although you don't see as many games happen anymore, but it's a format I grew up watching, and I think it suits the way I bat," said the 25-year-old, who scored 45 in the first match. "I think it's a nice, natural tempo being able to go out there and play cricket shots.
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