Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Thursday Dec 26, 2024
Monday, 18 November 2024 02:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Avishka Fernando was outstanding in the field, pocketing three catches
Michael Bracewell took a career best 4/36
Maheesh Theekshana contributed with ball and bat
Mark Chapman top scored for New Zealand with 76
Sa’adi Thawfeeq reporting from Pallekele
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| Kusal Mendis, during his match-winning knock of 74*, celebrates his half-century |
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PALLEKELE: In an enthralling game of cricket fought out till the very end, Sri Lanka overcame New Zealand by three wickets with an over to spare to win the second ODI played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday, and with it take a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
On a tricky surface, Sri Lanka survived a real scare by New Zealand to continue their fine streak in white-ball cricket as they chased down 210. Yesterday’s success marked their first series victory against New Zealand after a lapse of 12 years.
Sri Lanka’s hero was Kusal Mendis, who played a heroic knock of 74* off 102 balls (6 fours) to guide his team to victory. Midway in his innings, Mendis suffered a groin strain and was handicapped to the extent that he was unable to convert singles into twos, but thankfully for Sri Lanka, they were not chasing a big target and the asking rate was around 4 1/2 an over, which was manageable without taking undue risks.
Apart from Mendis, Sri Lanka’s top order failed to provide any noteworthy contributions as New Zealand choked them with their spin. Michael Bracewell bowled an inspired spell in the powerplay to end with career-best figures of 4/36, while Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips picked up a wicket each. Sri Lanka were struggling at 93-5 at one stage, but Mendis anchored one end, stitching important partnerships of 39, 31, and 47* with Janith Liyanage (22), Dunith Wellalage (18) and finally with Maheesh Theekshana (27*), respectively, to take his side home.
New Zealand used their main spinners pretty early in the game and were forced to go with their pace bowlers towards the end, which helped Sri Lanka’s cause.
New Zealand’s innings was actually in three phases. In the first, Sri Lanka dried the runs up and put New Zealand under scoring pressure, which eventually led to wickets. Then, Mark Chapman and Mitch Hay got together and resurrected the innings, with a 75-run partnership of 78 balls, giving New Zealand hopes of making a total of around 250. But then, Chapman fell for a well composed 76 off 81 balls (7 fours, 3 sixes) and that triggered a collapse that saw New Zealand losing their last six wickets for 36, despite Hay waging a lone battle, being the last batter to be dismissed for 49 off 62 balls (4 fours).
The key spinners for Sri Lanka were Theekshana (3/31) and Vandersay (3/46), with Asalanka and Wellalage chipping in with a wicket each. Sri Lanka’s catching in the outfield was outstanding despite a couple of dropped ones, with Avishka Fernando pouching onto three, all of them diving forward, which was not easy.
Two stoppages for rain during the New Zealand innings saw the game being reduced to a 47-overs-a-side contest.
The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue tomorrow (Tuesday).
