Colombo: Sri Lanka has continued its dominance at home, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand. Sri Lanka defeated New Zealand by three wickets in the rain-affected second ODI. In this low-scoring match, Kusal Mendis showed amazing performance with the bat and helped the team win. Thanks to Vandersay’s three wickets in the first innings and then Kusal Mendis’ unbeaten 74-run innings, Sri Lanka won the second ODI and won the series.
Sri Lanka registered their sixth consecutive bilateral ODI series win at home, their longest winning streak in the format. They are undefeated in 10 consecutive home series since losing to India in July 2021. This year, Sri Lanka have won five bilateral ODI series, which was only possible in 2014. Their win over New Zealand was their first since November 2012.
Spinners bowled 34 overs
On a spin-friendly track, New Zealand bowled more than 34 overs of spin, which is the most overs they have bowled in an ODI innings. They broke their previous record of bowling 33 overs of spin in the last ODI in Dambulla. However, despite faltering in the early stages of chasing the target, Sri Lanka made a comeback. They crossed the finishing line with the contribution of Kusal and the lower-order batsmen.
Bracewell took four wickets
New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell took four wickets, but it did not prove to be enough to defend the low score made by the New Zealand batsmen. Earlier, Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and fielding restricted New Zealand to 209 runs in 45.1 overs in the current match. Chapman played a brilliant innings of 76 runs off 81 balls, which included eight fours and three sixes.
Won by three wickets
Mitch Hay contributed 49 runs off 62 balls. The entire New Zealand team was all out for 209 runs in 45.1 overs. It rained during Sri Lanka’s innings. Due to which the match was reduced to 47-47 overs. In the end, Sri Lanka won the match by scoring 210 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 46 overs.
