Clinical bowling in the powerplay after a rapid century stand between Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman, both of whom struck half-centuries, helped New Zealand defeat Sri Lanka by 114 runs despite a hat-trick by Maheesh Theekshana in the second One-day International of the three-match series at Hamilton on Wednesday.
In a match reduced to 37 overs, New Zealand posted a massive 255/9 and then came back to bowl out Sri Lanka for 142 in 30.2 overs to win the ODI and take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
In another rain-marred match, Sri Lanka opted to bowl first after winning the toss but things did not unfold as they had expected. After Will Young was out for 16, a 112-run partnership off just 91 balls between Ravindra and Chapman for the second wicket gave the Black Caps the edge.
Ravindra made 79 off 63, hitting nine fours and one six, while Chapman made 62 off 52, hitting five fours and one six. Ravindra brought up his half-century by hitting leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga down the ground for six, while Chapman reached the mark by pulling Eshan Malinga over the deep square leg boundary.
After both of them were out in quick succession and Tom Latham was run out for 1. Daryl Mitchell (38) and Glenn Phillips (22) repaired the innings and took New Zealand past 200 runs.
Sri Lanka, however, fought back bravely with Theeksana claiming three wickets off successive balls, second back New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry for a hat-trick, becoming the seventh bowler from his country to achieve this feat. Though Sri Lanka bowlers fought back well, they were wayward at the start failing to capitalise on the rainy conditions.
Still, the target of 256 in 37 overs was a stiff one. The Sri Lankan top-order failed to fire and they were soon down to 22–4, four balls into the fifth over of their chase. With Patham Nissanka (1), Avishka Fernando (10), Kusal Mendis (2), and Charith Asalanka (4) back in the dressing room, the writing was on the wall that the series would be sealed in the hosts’ favour ahead of the third and final ODI at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Kamindu Mendis fought a lone battle for Sri Lanka with a 66-ball 64. He and Janith Liyanage steadied things somewhat with a 57-run partnership for the fifth wicket. That partnership ended when Smith had Liyanage caught behind for 22 off 31.
Sri Lanka lost their way after that as New Zealand sealed victory. Will O’Rourke with three wickets for 31 runs was the most successful bowler for New Zealand while Jacon Duffy bagged 2-30.
New Zealand skipper Santner praised his team for their overall performance.
I think we opened up pretty well, we lost wickets at times, but I think still pretty happy with the score on a wicket that offers a little bit. It was still very competitive, knew we had to bowl really well at the start. Credit to Theekshana, he knew what to do; bowled wide and made us hit to the bigger side.
Mitchell Santner
Sri Lanka captain Asalanka said poor batting in the powerplay cost them the match.
It was a fair pitch, bad batting in the powerplay cost us the game. We should have done better with overcast conditions. I expected us to pick a few wickets in the powerplay, but we couldn't do that.
Charith Asalanka