Kusal Mendis stars as Sri Lanka clinch New Zealand ODI series

Sri Lanka continue their domination at home as they take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. 

Sri Lanka beat New Zealand by three wickets in the rain-affected match at the Pallekele Stadium in Kandy on Sunday. 

Kusal Mendis starred with the bat in the low-scoring affair as he helped the team cross the line.

Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay’s three-wicket hauls in the first innings, followed by Kusal Mendis’s unbeaten knock of 74 runs was key in Sri Lanka winning the 2nd ODI and clinching the series.

Sri Lanka achieved their sixth consecutive bilateral ODI series win at home, marking their longest streak in the format. They remain undefeated in 10 consecutive home series since losing to India in July 2021. This year, Sri Lanka has won five bilateral ODI series, a feat only matched in 2014. Their victory over New Zealand was their first since November 2012.

On a spin-friendly track, New Zealand bowled more than 34 overs of spin, the most that they have bowled in an ODI innings. They surpassed their previous record of bowling 33 overs of spin in the previous ODI at Dambulla. 

However, despite faltering early on in the chase, Sri Lanka fought back and with Kusal and the lower order’s contribution, they got over the finishing line. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner led from the front with his five-wicket haul, but that did not prove to be enough to defend the low score put up by the New Zealand batters.

A disciplined bowling and fielding display from Sri Lanka restricted New Zealand to 209 all out in 45.1 overs in the ongoing match. The visitors struggled to build partnerships on a surface that offered significant turn, allowing Sri Lanka’s spinners to dominate.

New Zealand’s innings got off to a shaky start as Tim Robinson was dismissed for a duck in the second over by Dunith Wellalage. Shortly after, Henry Nicholls fell to Maheesh Theekshana, leaving the Kiwis reeling at 31/2. Will Young and Mark Chapman tried to rebuild, with Young scoring a steady 26 before being stumped off Vandersay.

Chapman, however, played a crucial knock, scoring a fluent 76 off 81 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. He found a capable partner in Mitch Hay, whose patient 49 off 62 helped stabilize the innings. The pair added 75 runs for the fifth wicket, guiding New Zealand to a respectable position at 173/4 by the 36th over.

The middle order, however, crumbled spectacularly after Chapman’s dismissal. Sri Lanka’s spinners capitalized, with Vandersay and Theekshana claiming three wickets each. Vandersay’s double strike in the 40th over left New Zealand at 185/8, and the final three wickets fell for just 24 runs.

Asitha Fernando also chipped in with two key wickets, while Charith Asalanka’s economical spell yielded a vital breakthrough. New Zealand’s inability to accelerate consistently saw their run rate stagnate despite a strong patch between overs 31-36, where they scored at 10.33 runs per over.

Source: IndiaToday

--Agencies