The second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka was played at Seddon Park in Hamilton in which the Blackcaps managed to outperform the visitors and win the match by 113 runs.
A batting master-class from Blackcaps
The rain caused a two and a half hour delay in the match and a reduction in overs. Each side was given 37 overs to bat. Sri Lanka won the toss and invited the home side to bat first in a pitch affected due to damp conditions and a slow outfield. However, New Zealand got off to a flying start with a solid 1st wicket partnership between opener Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman. The two batters added 112 runs in the New Zealand total after opener Will Young’s early departure.
Eyeing a mammoth total against Sri Lanka, wickets kept falling continuously after Ravindra’s departure whose stellar 79-run knock proved out to be the difference maker later on in the game. A major turbulence in the Blackcaps innings occurred as the lower order crashed completely due to a remarkable hattrick from spinner Maheesh Theekshana who got rid of a dangerous looking New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner and tailenders Nathan Smith and Matt Henry. Thus the New Zealand total got restricted to 255/9 at the end of its 37 overs.
Sri Lankan batting horror-show continues
The batting woes of the visitors continued in the game. Double digits score became a rare sight in the Sri Lankan batting line-up in this match with the entire Sri Lankan top-order putting up a flop show. Kamindu Mendis was the only batter who could withstand the intensity from New Zealand pacers and made 64 runs off 66 balls. However, the Sri Lanka run-chase sank after his dismissal. Janith Liyange and Chamindu Wickramasinghe tried to support Mendis but failed to face the persistent offensive bowling from the Kiwis. As a result, the Sri Lankan innings got wrapped up within 30.2 overs and were bowled out for 142 runs. New Zealand now have an invincible 2-0 lead over the visitors in the 3-match ODI series. Both sides will now face each other for the final match of the series at Eden Park in Auckland.
Also WATCH: Maheesh Theekshana lights up Seddon Park with a brilliant hat-trick in the Hamilton ODI
Here’s how Twitter reacted
Sri Lanka’s lose another away series. Bad run continues. Both batting and bowling shows no improvement outside of home conditions.#NZvSL #SLvNZ pic.twitter.com/ParGUMkgsD
— ab_sumudu (@sumu_paz) January 8, 2025
Sri Lanka’s 🇱🇰 away record under coach Sanath Jayasuriya since the last half-year. #NZvSL
– Lost to England Test series in Aug, 2024
– Lost to South Africa Test series in Nov, 2024
– Lost to New Zealand T20I series in Dec, 2024
– Lost to New Zealand ODI series in Jan, 2025 pic.twitter.com/CXaYPaYXsa— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 8, 2025
An outstanding spell capped off with a brilliant hat-trick. 🎯👏
Clever stuff from Theekshana👌#NZvSL— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) January 8, 2025
Everyone is talking about the last two Odi’s we lost but think about the experience the youngsters will get from it.
It’s never easy to go out there and play their shots in those conditions for a bunch of youngsters in a team which is in a transition period.
Back them🇱🇰#NZvSL pic.twitter.com/wiWP5T2H6X
— Mohamed Azam (@MohamedAzam21) January 8, 2025
Series secured! An all round performance with the ball led by Will O’Rourke (3-31 from 6.2 overs) helps claim the Chemist Warehouse ODI series with a game to spare. Scorecard | https://t.co/Yebpn1QwRR 📲 #NZvSL #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/gvDUu2OxTb
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 8, 2025
Outstanding bowling performance from New Zealand 🏏
– New Zealand lead the 3-match ODI series 2-0 🌟#Cricket #NZvSL #newzealandcricket #MitchellSantner pic.twitter.com/HE59Y9yb3e
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 8, 2025
Incredible catch by New Zealand’s Nathan Smith. #NZvSL #Cricket pic.twitter.com/ei7KVIfFlQ
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) January 8, 2025
🚨BlackCaps Defeat SriLanka by 113 Runs in 2nd Odi in Hamilton & win the Series .#NZvsSL #NZvSL #Greenland pic.twitter.com/bCfZsm49t3
— Gurjinder Bal (@Gurjind56659796) January 8, 2025
Rachin Starts off the year with back to back quality knock 💛🥳#NZvSL #WhistlePodu #CSK
📸 Getty Images pic.twitter.com/v7lOpHIsGB— WhistlePodu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) January 8, 2025
This NZ ODI bowling attack is hostile
Matt Henry
Jacob Duffy
Nathan Smith
Will ORourkeVery good bowling attack in general &for SA2027
Should be their attack for CT too
Miles better than Boult Southee Ferguson #NZvsSL— Reneslarn (@Reneslarn) January 8, 2025
Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand 2024/25,
❌ Lost the T20I series (1-2)
❌ Lost the ODI series (0-2)A forgettable tour for Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 #NZvSL pic.twitter.com/QrVHNHHj4S
— Thurunu Jayasiri (@ThurunuJ) January 8, 2025
Also [WATCH]: Charith Asalanka’s stunning catch sends Rachin Ravindra packing in the 2nd ODI
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