PALLEKELE: (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka continued their formidable home form in One Day Internationals (ODIs) this year, defeating New Zealand by three wickets with an over to spare in the second ODI at Pallekele last night. The victory, secured via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, gave Sri Lanka an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, marking their first ODI series win over the Black Caps since 2012.
The win also extended Sri Lanka’s perfect streak at home in five ODI series this calendar year. The last time Sri Lanka bested New Zealand in an ODI series was under the captaincy of Mahela Jayawardene, who led his side to a commanding 3-0 victory in 2012.
Chasing a target of 210 in 47 overs on a sluggish surface, Sri Lanka faced early setbacks but found salvation in an unbeaten 74 from Kusal Mendis. Anchoring the innings under immense pressure, Mendis crafted a crucial 47-run stand with Maheesh Theekshana (27 not out), whose resilient lower-order batting sealed the game in the penultimate over.
Sri Lanka’s chase began on shaky ground, losing opener Avishka Fernando (9) early to a mistimed sweep shot off Mitchell Santner. Pathum Nissanka and Mendis had nervy moments with umpire’s calls going their way on DRS reviews. Nissanka’s 28-run contribution ended when Michael Bracewell bowled him, leaving Sri Lanka at 42-2.
Bracewell continued his brilliant spell, claiming the wickets of Kamindu Mendis and skipper Charith Asalanka, reducing Sri Lanka to 65-4 by the 16th over. As the pitch turned increasingly sluggish under lights, spinners Bracewell and Santner proved challenging for the Lankan batters.
Janith Liyanage (22) and Dunith Wellalage (18) chipped in with small but vital contributions. Wellalage provided brief fireworks with three consecutive boundaries off Nathan Smith but perished trying to clear mid-on.
Theekshana’s timely uppercut six off Jacob Duffy in the 41st over provided the much-needed momentum as Sri Lanka inched closer to the target. With just five runs required in the final two overs, Mendis sealed the game with calm strokes, ensuring a memorable victory in the 46th over.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Sri Lanka opted to field and made early inroads. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage bowled Tim Robinson (4) with a delivery that kept low. Maheesh Theekshana then sent Henry Nicholls (8) back, reducing New Zealand to 31-2 before rain interrupted play.
When play resumed, Will Young and Mark Chapman steadied the innings. Chapman looked solid, reaching his half-century with a towering six off Wellalage. His 76 off 80 balls was the highlight of New Zealand’s innings, but a double-strike by pacer Asitha Fernando derailed their momentum.
Fernando dismissed Chapman and Bracewell in the same over, while Jeffrey Vandersay’s sharp leg-spin proved lethal, claiming 3-46, including the wickets of skipper Mitchell Santner and Nathan Smith. Theekshana wrapped up the innings with figures of 3-31 as New Zealand were bowled out for 209 in 45.1 overs.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand innings: 209 all out in 45.1 overs (Mark Chapman 76, Mitchell Hay 49, Will Young 26, Glenn Phillips 15, Maheesh Theekshana 3-31, Jeffrey Vandersay 3-46, Asitha Fernando 2-37, Charith Asalanka 1-29).
Sri Lanka innings: 210-7 in 46 overs (Kusal Mendis 74 not out, Pethum Nissanka 28, Maheesh Theekshana 27 not out, Janith Liyanage 22, Michael Bracewell 4-36, Nathan Smith 1-21, Mitchell Santner 1-33, Glenn Phillips 1-41).
